RECOMBINANT IMMUNOTOXINS AND CHIMERIC TOX INS FOR A TARGETED THERAPY IN ONCOLOGY

Immunotoxins and chimeric toxins are hybrid molecules constituted of a ntibodies, growth factor or cytokines coupled to peptide toxins. They are designed to selectively eliminate tumor cells. Some of these chime ra have been shown to induce complete tumor regressions of human tumor xenografts in immunodeficient mire. In clinical trials, higher anti t umor response were observed in lymphoma, brain tumor, breast and colon cancers. Problems arised with normal tissue toxicity and the producti on of neutralising antibodies. Should the latest recombinant toxins co nceived by rationale designed solved there problems, chimeric toxins w ould be an alternative approach to target tumor cells and vascular end othelial cells in solid tumors.