title: Hacking into the granuloma: could antibody antibiotic conjugates be developed for TB?
abstract: Alternatives to small molecule or vaccine approaches to treating tuberculosis are rarely discussed. Attacking Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the granuloma represents a challenge. It is proposed that the conjugation of small molecules onto a monoclonal antibody that recognizes macrophage or lymphocytes cell surface receptors, might be a way to target the bacteria in the granuloma. This antibody drug conjugate approach is currently being used in 2 FDA approved targeted cancer therapies. The pros and cons of this proposal for further research are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Collaborative Drug Discovery, 1633 Bayshore Highway, Suite 342, Burlingame, CA 94010, USA; Collaborations in Chemistry, 5616 Hilltop Needmore Road, Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526, USA. Electronic address: ekinssean@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Sean
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ekins
mesh_terms: D000904:Antibiotics, Antitubercular / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000379:methods; D006099:Granuloma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D018796:Immunoconjugates / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000276:immunology; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000904:Antibiotics, Antitubercular; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018796:Immunoconjugates; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface
keywords: Antibody antibiotic conjugate; Granuloma; Lymphocytes; Macrophages