A summary of monoclonal antibody-enzyme/prodrug

A great deal of research has surrounded the use of monoclonal antibody-enzyme conjugates for the activation of anticancer prodrugs. This is a two-step approach to cancer chemotherapy in which monoclonal antibodies are used to deliver enzymes to tumor cell surfaces. The enzymes are chosen for their abilities to convert relatively non-cytotoxic prodrugs into active anticancer agents. This review provides a summary of the in vitro and in vivo activities obtained from several promising monoclonal antibody-enzyme/prodrug combinations. Pharmacokinetic data is also presented that provides mechanistic insight into the antitumor activities obtained.