ANTIBODY-DIRECTED ENZYME PRODRUG THERAPY (ADEPT) - A REVIEW

Antibody-directed enzyme prodrug therapy (ADEPT) is a therapeutic stra tegy which aims to improve the selectivity of anticancer drugs. ADEPT is a two-step antibody targeting system that has benefits over a one-s tep chemo-, toxin- or radioimmunoconjugate. The basic principles of AD EPT are discussed alongside the requirements of the components: antibo dies, enzymes and prodrugs. The design and syntheses of prodrugs are d etailed particularly prodrug/drug systems of potential clinical use, t he rationale behind their- design and the in vitro and in vivo results obtained. The main features of ADEPT, such as targeting of cancer cel ls by the antibody-enzyme conjugates, enzymic activation of the prodru gs, selection of the prodrug/drug and enzyme/prodrug systems are revie wed. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.