Promising new antibody kills prostate cancer cells

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have reported a new antibody, F77 which recognizes and causes the death of prostate cancer cells. The report in the Proceedings of the national Academy of Science states "In our effort to find diagnostic markers and to develop therapeutic approaches for prostate cancer, we have identified an mAb that is capable of binding to a cell surface antigen specifically expressed on both androgen-dependent and androgen-independent prostate cancer cells."

The monoclonal antibody binds to both primary and metastatic prostate cancer cells and directly promotes their death. It also promotes cancer cell death through other cell mechanisms. It is thought that the antibody recognises a small glycolipid in the membrane. The authors state "the present study indicates that mAb F77 defines a unique prostate cancer marker and shows promising potential for diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer, especially for androgen-independent metastatic prostate cancer".

http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2009/12/15/0911397107.abstract

Other News

Next Article