Antibody-based targeting of the tumor vasculature

Biochim Biophys Acta. 2007 Dec;1776(2):175-92. doi: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2007.08.002. Epub 2007 Aug 25.

Abstract

Conventional cytotoxic therapies of cancer often suffer from a lack of specificity, leading to a poor therapeutic index and considerable toxicities to normal organs. An elegant way to overcome the disadvantages of conventional tumor therapy is the selective delivery of therapeutics to the tumor site by their conjugation to a carrier molecule specific for a tumor-associated molecular marker. Markers expressed on the tumor's vasculature represent particularly attractive targets for a site-specific pharmacodelivery due to their inherent accessibility for blood-borne agents and the various therapeutic options that they allow, ranging from intraluminal blood coagulation to the recruitment of immune cells. In this review, we will outline advances in the preclinical and clinical evaluation of antibody-based vascular targeting agents, describe technologies for the discovery of novel vascular targets and discuss future prospects for vascular targeting applications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / administration & dosage
  • Antibodies, Neoplasm / administration & dosage*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis
  • Drug Delivery Systems*
  • Endothelium, Vascular / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Membrane Proteins / drug effects
  • Neoplasms / blood supply*
  • Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / drug therapy
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / metabolism

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Neoplasm
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Membrane Proteins