Researchers at the University of Buffalo say they have developed a monoclonal antibody that has significantly extended the lives of mice engineered to carry breast cancer tumors. The antibody targets an antigen called TF-Ag, which plays a role in fostering the spread of cancer. The antibody works by preventing aspects of cancer cell growth necessary for them to attach to tissue. The median survival time for mice was extended from 57 days without the antibody to 72 days with therapy.
"This antibody binds with a carbohydrate on the tumor cell surface that is involved in adhesion of the cell during the metastatic process," said Kate Rittenhouse-Olson, PhD. "Not only would drugs attached to the antibody JAA-F11 bind to the tumor cell surface to direct their cytotoxic effect, but the binding of the antibody itself would block the cell from metastasizing."
- check out the release on the research project