[Mechanisms of antibody-based therapy against solid tumors]

Advances in technology of antibody modification, such as chimeric antibody or humanized antibody against cancer specific proteins, allows us to apply them into the clinic efficiently. Most therapeutic antibodies inhibit proliferation of cancer cells by blockade of their receptors or ligands as well as related signal transductions. In addition to cancer cells, therapeutic antibodies are able to target vascular endothelial cells and immune cells, exerting their anti-tumor effects by inhibition of angiogenesis and enhancement of immune system. Recently, new therapeutic antibodies have been developed, which are able to induce cell death by binding to a cytotoxin or a radioisotope. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms of therapeutic antibodies by classifying their actions in regard to blocking, targeting, and signaling.