The Fc-alpha receptor is a new target antigen for immunotherapy of myeloid leukemia.

Antibody-based immunotherapy of leukemia requires the targeting of specific antigens on the surface of blasts. The Fc gamma receptor (CD64) has been investigated in detail, and CD64-targeting immunotherapy has shown promising efficacy in the targeted ablation of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), acute myelomonocytic leukemia (AMML) and chronic myeloid leukemia cells (CML). Here we investigate for the first time the potential of FcαRI (CD89) as a new target antigen expressed by different myeloid leukemic cell populations.

Novel EGFR-specific immunotoxins based on panitumumab and cetuximab show in vitro and ex vivo activity against different tumor entities.

Purpose: The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is overexpressed in many solid tumors. EGFR-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), such as cetuximab and panitumumab, have been approved for the treatment of colorectal and head and neck cancer. To increase tissue penetration, we constructed single-chain fragment variable (scFv) antibodies derived from these mAbs and evaluated their potential for targeted cancer therapy.

Targeted killing of rhabdomyosarcoma cells by a MAP-based human cytolytic fusion protein.

The treatment of rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is challenging, and the prognosis remains especially poor for high-grade RMS with metastasis. The conventional treatment of RMS is based on multi-agent chemotherapy combined with resection and radiotherapy, which are often marked by low success rate. Alternative therapeutic options include the combination of standard treatments with immunotherapy.

Recombinant H22(scFv) blocks CD64 and prevents the capture of anti-TNF monoclonal antibody. A potential strategy to enhance anti-TNF therapy.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that plays a critical role in many inflammatory diseases. Soluble TNF can be neutralized by monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), and this is a widely-used therapeutic approach. However, some patients do not respond to anti-TNF therapy due to the increased expression of CD64 on monocytes and macrophages.

In vitro effects and ex vivo binding of an EGFR-specific immunotoxin on rhabdomyosarcoma cells.

Purpose: Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a rare and aggressive soft tissue sarcoma with limited treatment options and a high failure rate during standard therapy. New therapeutic strategies based on targeted immunotherapy are therefore much in demand. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has all the characteristics of an ideal target.

A CSPG4-specific immunotoxin kills rhabdomyosarcoma cells and binds to primary tumor tissues.

The treatment of rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) remains challenging, with metastatic and alveolar RMS offering a particularly poor prognosis. Therefore, the identification and evaluation of novel antigens, which are suitable targets for immunotherapy, is one attractive possibility to improve the treatment of this disease. Here we show that chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4) is expressed on RMS cell lines and RMS patient material.

SNAP-tag based agents for preclinical in vitro imaging in malignant diseases.

Although current cancer treatment strategies are highly aggressive, they are often not effective enough to destroy the collectivity of malignant cells. The residual tumor cells that survived the first-line treatment may continue to proliferate or even metastasize. Therefore, the development of novel more effective strategies to specifically eliminate also single cancer cells is urgently needed.