Fusogenics: a recombinant immunotoxin-based screening platform to select internalizing tumor-specific antibody fragments

J Biomol Screen. 2011 Jan;16(1):90-100. doi: 10.1177/1087057110387425. Epub 2010 Dec 3.

Abstract

Antibody-based therapeutics play a vital role in the treatment of certain cancers; however, despite commercial success, various strategies are being pursued to increase their potency and hence improve patient outcomes. The use of antibodies to deliver a cytotoxic payload offers a promising alternative for more efficacious therapies. Immunotoxins are composed of an internalizing antibody fragment linked to a bacterial or plant toxin. Once internalized, the payload, such as Pseudomonas exotoxin A (PE), blocks protein synthesis and induces apoptosis. Typically, immunotoxins are developed by first isolating a tumor-specific antibody, which is then either chemically linked to a toxin or reengineered as a fusion protein. Here, the authors describe the development of Fusogenics, an immunotoxin-based screening method that selects internalizing tumor-specific antibodies using a functional assay. Selected immune library clones were characterized and shown to be selective against normal tissues and specific to tumor tissues. In summary, the Fusogenics immunotoxin platform represents a unique, single-step selection approach combining specificity and functionality to isolate novel internalizing tumor-specific antibody fragments with potential for direct clinical application in the treatment of cancer.

MeSH terms

  • ADP Ribose Transferases / genetics
  • ADP Ribose Transferases / isolation & purification
  • Antibodies, Neoplasm / biosynthesis
  • Antibodies, Neoplasm / isolation & purification
  • Apoptosis
  • Bacterial Toxins / genetics
  • Bacterial Toxins / isolation & purification
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor / methods*
  • Escherichia coli
  • Exotoxins / genetics
  • Exotoxins / isolation & purification
  • Gene Library
  • High-Throughput Screening Assays
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin Fragments / biosynthesis
  • Immunoglobulin Fragments / genetics
  • Immunoglobulin Fragments / isolation & purification
  • Immunotoxins* / genetics
  • Immunotoxins* / immunology
  • Immunotoxins* / isolation & purification
  • Neoplasms / immunology
  • Neoplasms / therapy
  • Organ Specificity
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa Exotoxin A
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / isolation & purification
  • Virulence Factors / genetics
  • Virulence Factors / isolation & purification

Substances

  • Antibodies, Neoplasm
  • Bacterial Toxins
  • Exotoxins
  • Immunoglobulin Fragments
  • Immunotoxins
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Virulence Factors
  • ADP Ribose Transferases