[Cathepsin B and pro-drug activation].
Cathepsin B (CB) is a tumour-associated cysteine peptidase, which plays an important role in the proteolytic cascade involved in cancer invasion. Therefore, pro-drugs specifically activated by CB are expected to possess enhanced tumour selected properties. This paper presents the actual stage of knowledge on anticancer therapy strategies using CB as a side-specific activator of immuno- or polymer-conjugates (Antibody Directed Enzyme Pro-Drug Therapy or Polymer Directed Enzyme Pro-Drug Therapy, respectively). Usefulness of CB determinations in the laboratory diagnosis of neoplastic diseases is also presented.
Warwas
Maria
M
Katedra i Zakład Biochemii Farmaceutycznej Akademii Medycznej we Wrocławiu. warwas@bf.uni.wroc.pl
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D002401:Cathepsin B / Q000378:metabolism*; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D004792:Enzyme Precursors / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D011355:Prodrugs / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D004792:Enzyme Precursors; D011355:Prodrugs; D002401:Cathepsin B