immunotoksiini

Immunotoxins are a class of drugs designed to selectively kill target cells, primarily cancer cells, by combining a cell-killing agent with a targeting molecule. The cell-killing agent is typically a highly potent toxin, such as a bacterial toxin, a plant toxin, or a fragment of a ribosome-inactivating protein. The targeting molecule is usually an antibody or a fragment of an antibody that specifically binds to antigens expressed on the surface of the target cells.

The principle behind immunotoxins is to deliver the toxic payload directly to the diseased cells, thereby minimizing damage to healthy tissues. The antibody component of the immunotoxin acts like a guided missile, seeking out and attaching to the target cells. Once bound, the immunotoxin is internalized by the target cell, and the toxin is released, leading to cell death.

Immunotoxins have been explored for the treatment of various cancers, including leukemia, lymphoma, and solid tumors. They have also shown promise in treating certain autoimmune diseases and infectious diseases. However, their development has faced challenges, including the potential for immune responses against the immunotoxin itself, which can reduce its efficacy and lead to adverse reactions. Additionally, achieving selective targeting and efficient delivery to all target cells within a tumor can be difficult. Research continues to focus on improving the design and delivery of immunotoxins to enhance their therapeutic potential and overcome these limitations.