title: Monoclonal and bispecific antibodies as novel therapeutics.
abstract: Gene amplification, over-expression, and mutation of growth factors, or the receptors themselves, causes increased signaling through receptor kinases, which has been implicated in many human cancers and is associated with poor prognosis. Tumor growth has been shown to be decreased by interrupting this process of extensive growth factor-mediated signaling by directly targeting either the surface receptor or the ligand and thereby preventing cell survival and promoting apoptosis. Monoclonal antibodies have long been eyed as a potential new class of therapeutics targeting cancer and other diseases. Antibody-based therapy initially entered clinical practice when trastuzumab/Herceptin became the first clinically approved drug against an oncogene product as a well-established blocking reagent for tumors with hyperactivity of epidermal growth factor signaling pathways. In the first part of this review we explain basic terms related to the development of antibody-based drugs, give a brief historic perspective of the field, and also touch on topics such as the "humanization of antibodie" or creation of hybrid antibodies. The second part of the review gives an overview of the clinical usage of bispecific antibodies and antibodies "armed" with cytotoxic agents or enzymes. Further within this section, cancer-specific, site-specific, or signaling pathway-specific therapies are discussed in detail. Among other antibody-based therapeutic products, we discuss: Avastin (bevacizumab), CG76030, Theragyn (pemtumomab), daclizumab (Zenapax), TriAb, MDX-210, Herceptin (trastuzumab), panitumumab (ABX-EGF), mastuzimab (EMD-72000), Erbitux (certuximab, IMC225), Panorex (edrecolomab), STI571, CeaVac, Campath (alemtuizumab), Mylotarg (gemtuzumab, ozogamicin), and many others. The end of the review deliberates upon potential problems associated with cancer immunotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Manitoba Institute of Cell Biology,CancerCare Manitoba, University of Manitoba, ON6010-675 McDermot Ave., Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0V9, Canada.
authors.forename: Evan P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Booy
authors.forename: Dina
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Johar
authors.forename: Srilekha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maddika
authors.forename: Hasan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pirzada
authors.forename: Mickey M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Sahib
authors.forename: Iris
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gehrke
authors.forename: Shauna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Loewen
authors.forename: Sherif F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Louis
authors.forename: Kamran
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kadkhoda
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mowat
authors.forename: Marek
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Los
mesh_terms: D018033:Antibodies, Bispecific / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000276:immunology; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015195:Drug Design; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000276:immunology; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000276:immunology; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D018033:Antibodies, Bispecific; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases