title: A new RNase-based immunoconjugate selectively cytotoxic for ErbB2-overexpressing cells.
abstract: We report a new tumor-directed immunoRNase, a chimeric protein made up of an antibody fragment (single-chain Fv fragment) directed to ErbB2, a cell surface receptor, and a non-toxic, human ribonuclease, which upon cell internalization becomes cytotoxic. The immunoRNase is active as a ribonuclease, specifically binds and selectively kills ErbB2-positive cells. ErbB2 is one of the most specific tumor-associated antigens identified so far, overexpressed on tumor cells of different origin. Its choice as target antigen and that of a non-toxic, human RNase as the killer moiety makes this immunoRNase a new, potentially attractive anticancer agent.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Chimica Biologica, Università di Napoli Federico II, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: De Lorenzo
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nigro
authors.forename: Renata
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Piccoli
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: D'Alessio
mesh_terms: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D015870:Gene Expression; D018734:Genes, erbB-2; D006801:Humans; D018796:Immunoconjugates / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D012260:Ribonucleases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D018796:Immunoconjugates; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D012260:Ribonucleases