Treatment of solid tumors with immunotoxins

Abstract

Immunotoxins are hybrid molecules that generally consist of a toxin coupled with a tumor-specific antibody or antibody fragment that is intended to target and concentrate the toxin within the tumor tissue. The biodistribution, specificity, immunogenicity, and cytotoxic activity of the immunotoxin are but a few of the factors that govern the effectiveness of these compounds in the treatment of patients with cancer. Improvements in design, synthesis, and delivery of these molecules may permit them to become significant components in the arsenal of targeted therapies for cancer. © 2005 BioMed Central Ltd.