Tumor Targeting Antibodies in Colorectal Cancer

Objective: The main purpose is to identify and characterize novel antibodies recognizing specific antigens on colorectal cancer cells. Interesting candidates will be thoroughly examined for their specificity and their ability to be used as diagnostic and/ or prognostic markers. Their potential as function-blocking moieties or for therapeutic targeting of cancer will be evaluated both preclinically and in phase I clinical studies. R&D challenges: Despite considerable progress in conventional colorectal canc er therapy it is still a great demand for more specific diagnostic markers and efficient therapeutic alternatives. The major obstacle for further progress in antibody-based cancer therapy is the limited availability of specific cancer markers and the limi tations of using foreign species monoclonal antibodies in patients. The technology that has been developed at Affitech (CBAS), where fully human antibodies are selected, has the potential to identify promising antibody candidates that can be utilized in c linical settings. Interesting antibody-antigen pairs will be thoroughly characterized for their specificity. Subsequently the potential as diagnostic or prognostic markers will be evaluated by conjugating the antibodies to immunomagnetic- or fluorescently labeled latex particles and used for detection of disseminated tumor cells. For therapeutic purposes the antibodies own anti-tumor effect or as the targeting moiety of immunotoxin will be examined in vitro and in animal models. By using RNA expression - and proteomic analysis antibody induced molecular effects in the cancer cells will be investigated. Application: Identification of cancer specific antigens is of fundamental importance not only for improvements in the area of targeted cancer therapy, but also for the development of better methods for diagnostic and prognostic evaluation of cancer patients.