Immunoconjugate Explained

Immunoconjugates are antibodies conjugated (joined) to a second molecule, usually a toxin, radioisotope or label.^[1]

These conjugates are used in immunotherapy and to develop monoclonal antibody therapy as a targeted form of chemotherapy^[2] when they are often known as antibody-drug conjugates.

When the conjugates include a radioisotope see radioimmunotherapy.When the conjugates include a toxin see immunotoxin.

Further reading

• Technology Insight: cytotoxic drug immunoconjugates for cancer therapy. 2007 looks useful from the abstract.
• Targeted Therapy of Cancer: New Prospects for Antibodies and Immunoconjugates. 2006 full article, 18 pages.
• Arming antibodies: prospects and challenges for immunoconjugates. 2005 10 pages.

Notes and References

1. Goldenberg DM, Sharkey RM . Novel radiolabeled antibody conjugates . Oncogene . 26 . 25 . 3734–44 . 2007 . 17530026 . 10.1038/sj.onc.1210373. free .
2. Khandare JJ, Minko T . Antibodies and peptides in cancer therapy . Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems . 23 . 5 . 401–35 . 2006 . 17425513. 10.1615/CritRevTherDrugCarrierSyst.v23.i5.20 .