Recombinant toxins for cancer treatment

Science. 1991 Nov 22;254(5035):1173-7. doi: 10.1126/science.1683495.

Abstract

Recombinant toxins target cell surface receptors and antigens on tumor cells. They kill by mechanisms different from conventional chemotherapy, so that cross resistance to conventional chemotherapeutic agents should not be a problem. Furthermore, they are not mutagens and should not induce secondary malignancies or accelerate progression of benign malignancies. They can be mass-produced cheaply in bacteria as homogeneous proteins. Either growth factor-toxin fusions or antibody-toxin fusions can be chosen, depending on the cellular target.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • ADP Ribose Transferases*
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / metabolism
  • Bacterial Toxins*
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism
  • Exotoxins / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Immunotoxins / therapeutic use
  • Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / metabolism
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa Exotoxin A
  • Receptor, ErbB-2
  • Receptors, Immunologic / metabolism
  • Receptors, Interleukin-2 / metabolism
  • Receptors, Interleukin-6
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Toxins, Biological / administration & dosage*
  • Virulence Factors*

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Bacterial Toxins
  • Exotoxins
  • Immunotoxins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Receptors, Immunologic
  • Receptors, Interleukin-2
  • Receptors, Interleukin-6
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Toxins, Biological
  • Virulence Factors
  • ADP Ribose Transferases
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Receptor, ErbB-2