Targeted induction of apoptosis in glioblastoma multiforme cells by an MRP3-specific TRAIL fusion protein in vitro.

Single-chain Fv fragments (scFvs) consist of the variable heavy-chain (VH) and variable light-chain (VL) domains, which are the smallest immunoglobulin fragments containing the whole antigen-binding site. Human soluble tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) proves to acquire a potent pro-apoptotic activity only after selective binding to a predefined tumor cell surface antigen and has no off-target effects towards normal cells. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most frequent and aggressive type of brain tumor and overexpresses human multidrug resistance protein 3 (MRP3).