title: CLL immunotoxins.
abstract: Immunotoxins composed of cell-selective ligands covalently linked to peptide toxins have been developed for the treatment of chemotherapy relapsed or refractory malignancies including chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). A number of CLL immunotoxins have been clinically tested including T101-ricin A, H65-ricin A, DAB(486)IL2, DAB(389)IL2, RFB4 (dsFv)-PE38 and anti-Tac(Fv)-PE38. Remissions have occurred in some patients without significant myelosuppression, but novel agents continue to be needed. Kay and co-workers in this issue of Leukemia Research have targeted interleukin-4 receptors (IL4R) on CLL B cells with a recombinant IL4 pseudomonas exotoxin fusion protein (IL-4(38--37)-PE38KDEL). A fraction of patients (19%) had CLL cells that were extremely sensitive to the immunotoxin. This novel agent may provide an important new therapeutic for use in the treatment of CLL.
authors.forename: Arthur E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Frankel
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Kreitman
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D000922:Immunotoxins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000922:Immunotoxins