Introduction
Antibody cancer therapeutics have been developed and used clinically in an effort to realize the potential of targeted therapy during the past 30 years. The diversity of these targeted approaches reflects the versatility of antibodies as platforms for therapeutic development. Antibodies may target tumor cells by engaging surface antigens differentially expressed in cancers. For example, rituximab targets CD20 in non-Hodgkin B cell lymphoma, trastuzumab targets HER2 in breast cancer, and cetuximab targets EGFR in colorectal cancer[1].
Although unconjugated antibodies have had efficacy,molecular genetics and chemical modifications to monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have advanced their clinical utility. For example, modification of immune effector engagement has improved pharmacokinetic profiles, and conjugating cytotoxic agents to mAbs has enhanced targeted therapeutic delivery to tumors. The increasing facility of antibody modifications hasmade it possible to construct diverse and efficacious mAb-based therapeutics[2].
[1] Weiner, L., et al. (2012). "Antibody-Based Immunotherapy of Cancer." Cell 148(6): 1081-1084.
[2] Weiner, L. M., et al. (2010). "Monoclonal antibodies: versatile platforms for cancer immunotherapy." Nat Rev Immunol 10(5): 317-327.