doi: 10.5732/cjc.011.10123

Next generation of antibody therapy for cancer

Zhenping Zhu and Li Yan

Kadmon Pharmaceuticals, New York, New York 10016, USA. Zhenping@kadmon.com

[Abstract] Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have become a major class of therapeutic agents providing effective alternatives to treating various human diseases. To date, 15 mAbs have been approved by regulatory agencies in the world for clinical use in oncology indications. The selectivity and specificity, the unique pharmacokinetics, and the ability to engage and activate the host immune system differentiate these biologics from traditional small molecule anticancer drugs. mAb-based regimens have brought clinical benefits, including improvements in overall survival, to patients with a variety of cancers. Many challenges still remain, however, to fully realize the potential of these new medicines. With our further understanding of cancer biology, mechanism of antibody action, and advancement of antibody engineering technologies, many novel antibody formats or antibody-derived molecules are emerging as promising new generation therapeutics. Carefully designed and engineered, they retain the advantage of specificity and selectivity of original antibodies, but in the meantime acquire additional special features such as improved pharmacokinetics, increased selectivity, and enhanced anticancer efficacy. Promising clinical results are being generated with these newly improved antibody-based therapeutics.

Chinese Journal of Cancer 2011, Volume: 30, Issue 5, Page: 293-302

[ PDF Full-text ]
[Google Scholar]

Cite this article

Zhenping Zhu and Li Yan. Next generation of antibody therapy for cancer. Chin J Cancer. 2011, 30(5):293-302. doi:10.5732/cjc.011.10123


Export citations

EndNote