Targeted immunotherapy for colorectal cancer: monoclonal antibodies and immunotoxins.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major health concern worldwide. It is the third most frequently diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death. There currently are a number of treatment options for CRC, however many of them have failed to demonstrate desired therapeutic benefit. Therefore, significant efforts are being directed towards the development of new biological therapies with improved efficacy. Immunotherapy is an emerging treatment modality for a variety of cancers. Several promising treatments have already been approved by the US FDA and are being tested in clinical trials. Antibodies have been proved to be useful in cancer therapy due to their ability to recognize tumor-associated antigens expressed at higher density on malignant cells in comparison with those that are normal. Antibodies can be used as a single therapy or in combination with other therapies. A large variety of monoclonal antibodies have been developed. However, only a very few are able to kill a sufficient number of malignant cells and cause tumor regression. Hence, it is often necessary to arm the antibody with a cytotoxic agent to enhance the efficacy of the anti-tumor activity. This review provides a brief overview of some of the current agents being employed in targeted immunotherapy for CRC.
Shapira
Shiran
S
The Integrated Cancer Prevention Center, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Israel.
Lisiansky
Victoria
V
Arber
Nadir
N
Kraus
Sarah
S
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000276:immunology; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods; D000922:Immunotoxins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000276:immunology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000922:Immunotoxins; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins