[The targetted delivery of antitumor preparations by using protein vectors]

The prospects of the endocytosis-mediated targeted delivery of antitumor drugs to the target cells by means of vector proteins, such as nerve growth factor (NGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and the oncofetal protein alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), are discussed. The high selectivity and efficiency of antitumor effects of synthetic covalent EGF- and AFP-conjugates with chemical agents (antitumor antibiotics) and antisense oligonucleotides are compared with individual biologically active compounds in in vitro and in vivo animal studies. The molecular mechanisms of action of the above conjugates have been studied. Evidence is given for the fact that it is expedient to use them to overcome multidrug resistance in the clinical setting. The findings are the first important step in designing novel target antitumor drugs based on biologically active vector proteins showing their effects by receptor-mediated endocytosis.