Immunoconjugate
Encyclopedia
Immunoconjugates are antibodies
conjugated (joined) to a second molecule, usually a toxin
, radioisotope or label
.
These conjugates are used in immunotherapy
and to develop monoclonal antibody therapy
as a targeted form of chemotherapy
when they are often known as antibody-drug conjugate
s.
When the conjugates include a radioisotope see radioimmunotherapy
.
When the conjugates include a toxin
see immunotoxin
.
Antibody
An antibody, also known as an immunoglobulin, is a large Y-shaped protein used by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects such as bacteria and viruses. The antibody recognizes a unique part of the foreign target, termed an antigen...
conjugated (joined) to a second molecule, usually a toxin
Toxin
A toxin is a poisonous substance produced within living cells or organisms; man-made substances created by artificial processes are thus excluded...
, radioisotope or label
Label
A label is a piece of paper, polymer, cloth, metal, or other material affixed to a container or article, on which is printed a legend, information concerning the product, addresses, etc. A label may also be printed directly on the container or article....
.
These conjugates are used in immunotherapy
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a medical term defined as the "treatment of disease by inducing, enhancing, or suppressing an immune response". Immunotherapies designed to elicit or amplify an immune response are classified as activation immunotherapies. While immunotherapies that reduce or suppress are...
and to develop monoclonal antibody therapy
Monoclonal antibody therapy
Monoclonal antibody therapy is the use of monoclonal antibodies to specifically bind to target cells or proteins. This may then stimulate the patient's immune system to attack those cells...
as a targeted form of chemotherapy
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the treatment of cancer with an antineoplastic drug or with a combination of such drugs into a standardized treatment regimen....
when they are often known as antibody-drug conjugate
Antibody-drug conjugate
Antibody-drug conjugates are a new type of targeted therapy, used for example for cancer. They consist of an antibody linked to a payload drug . Hence, they are a type of immunoconjugate and often an immunotoxin.The antibody causes the ADC to bind to the target cancer cells...
s.
When the conjugates include a radioisotope see radioimmunotherapy
Radioimmunotherapy
Radioimmunotherapy uses an antibody labeled with a radionuclide to deliver cytotoxic radiation to a target cell. In cancer therapy, an antibody with specificity for a tumor-associated antigen is used to deliver a lethal dose of radiation to the tumor cells...
.
When the conjugates include a toxin
Toxin
A toxin is a poisonous substance produced within living cells or organisms; man-made substances created by artificial processes are thus excluded...
see immunotoxin
Immunotoxin
An immunotoxin is a human-made protein that consists of a targeting portion linked to a toxin. When the protein binds to that cell, it is taken in through endocytosis, and the toxin kills the cell...
.
Further reading
- Technology Insight: cytotoxic drug immunoconjugates for cancer therapy. 2007 looks useful from the abstract.
- Targeted Therapy of Cancer: New Prospects for Antibodies and Immunoconjugates. 2006 full article, 18 pages.
- Arming antibodies: prospects and challenges for immunoconjugates. 2005 10 pages.