Antigen-specific targeting is a promising new technique in cancer therapy. It involves targeting cell surface groups unique to a specific type of cell with a cytotoxic antibody. Since most cell types present receptors unique to them, cancer therapy can be selectively targeted. One area of research in antigen-specific targeting is centered on the clusters of differentiation (CD), cell surface receptors, found on white blood cells. Each class of white blood cells, T-cell, B-cell, macrophages, etc, has a specific CD and can be selectively targeted.
Antigen-specific targeting is currently divided into a few subtypes. One of them involves the use of receptor specific antibodies to target and block the antigen receptor. The cancer therapy drug trastuzumab, is a monoclonal anti-HER2 antibody. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is a cell-surface receptor that is commonly over-activated in breast cancer cells and is a factor contributing to the up-regulation of cell proliferation genes. Trastuzumab binds this receptor and shuts it down, limiting breast tumor cell proliferation in individuals whose cancer is related to an over-expression of HER2. Another type of antigen-specific drugs are the antibodies conjugated to truncated peptide toxins, such as diphtheria toxin and pseudomonas exotoxin. These immunotoxins work by binding to a cell surface receptor of the target, and moving the peptide toxin into the cell, whereby it causes apoptosis. RFB4-dgA is a new drug in phase 1 studies that is a fusion of anti-CD22 and modified ricin toxin proposed for B-NHL, and CLL.
Antigen-specific targeting is a promising area of research that has great potential. This is still a need to further research and study this approach to cancer therapy, its efficacy, and safety. Conversant is proud to offer highly annotate, biological specimens for research. In regards to antigen-specific targeting, we also have the ability to enrich samples with regards to certain cells types.
