RADIOIMMUNOCONJUGATES OF VARIOUS MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES AS POTENTIAL ANTICANCER THERAPY – REVIEW

Marija Arev, Paulina Apostolova, Emilija Janevik-Ivanovska

Abstract

Radioimmunoconjugates consists of a monoclonal antibody (mAb) linked to a radionuclide. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are immunoglobulins able to recognize unique epitopes on a single antigen. MAbs therapy has emerged as a significant therapeutic choice for different types of cancer. When they contain a radioactive isotope for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes they belong to the group of radiopharmaceuticals. Radioisotopes are atoms that emit radiation and are used based on the type of radiation that is emitted. There are three types of radiation, alpha, beta, and gamma radiation. Alpha and beta radiation has a short range and are primarily used for radiotherapy purposes. Gamma radiation, on the other hand, has a wider range, is used for diagnostics, and can be detected using specialized detection systems. To formulate a stable radiopharmaceutical, it is important to provide a stable link between the isotope and the carrier molecules (proteins, monoclonal antibodies, peptides, nanoparticles). The bifunctional chelators (BFC) contain a metal chelating group on one side and covalently binding to the biological molecules on the other side. Radioimmunoconjugates are the majority applied radiopharmaceuticals worldwide for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes and are composed of radioactive elements attached to the immune molecules, like monoclonal antibodies. Diagnostic radioimmunoconjugates can be used for body imaging and mostly for the identification of positive lesions and metastasis, while radiotherapeutics has shown efficacy in the treatment of solid tumors and hematologic malignancies.

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