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A new RNase‐based immunoconjugate selectively cytotoxic for ErbB2‐overexpressing cells
Author(s) -
De Lorenzo Claudia,
Nigro Alessandra,
Piccoli Renata,
D'Alessio Giuseppe
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/s0014-5793(02)02527-9
Subject(s) - cytotoxic t cell , immunoconjugate , internalization , ribonuclease , rnase p , chemistry , fusion protein , antigen , microbiology and biotechnology , immunotoxin , cytotoxicity , biology , antibody , cell , biochemistry , monoclonal antibody , rna , gene , in vitro , recombinant dna , immunology
We report a new tumor‐directed immunoRNase, a chimeric protein made up of an antibody fragment (single‐chain Fv fragment) directed to ErbB2, a cell surface receptor, and a non‐toxic, human ribonuclease, which upon cell internalization becomes cytotoxic. The immunoRNase is active as a ribonuclease, specifically binds and selectively kills ErbB2‐positive cells. ErbB2 is one of the most specific tumor‐associated antigens identified so far, overexpressed on tumor cells of different origin. Its choice as target antigen and that of a non‐toxic, human RNase as the killer moiety makes this immunoRNase a new, potentially attractive anticancer agent.