Using antibodies to target cancer therapeutics

Over a half a century ago, radiolabeled antibodies were shown to localize selectively in tissues based on the expression of unique antigens. Antibodies have since become the de facto targeting agent, even inspiring the development of non-antibody compounds for targeting purposes.

In this article, we review various aspects of how antibodies are transforming the way cancer is being detected and treated, with the growing demand for unconjugated and many new antibody conjugates. While unconjugated antibodies continue to garner most of the attention, interest in new antibody drug conjugates and immunotoxins has expanded over the past few years. However, there continues to be active research with new radioimmunoconjugates for imaging and therapy, particularly with α-emitters, as well as antibody-targeted cytokines and other biological response modifiers.

The increasing number of new agents being developed and tested clinically suggests that antibody-targeted compounds will have an expanding role in the future.