More potent and selective for killing cancer cells than chemotherapy, immunotoxins constitute a new class of human therapeutics that have widespread applications and a potential that has not yet been fully recognized. In Immunotoxin Methods and Protocols, leading experts from laboratories around the world describe in step-by-step detail their cutting-edge methods for developing and applying these powerful proteins. The conjugates created by these researchers contain entire monoclonal antibodies, single chain antibody fragments, and cytokines as their carrier ligands. Their toxic portion can include such conventional chemotherapeutics as doxirubicin, such ribosome-inactivating proteins as the ricin A chain or saporin, or such bacterial toxins as diptheria toxin. Also described are a variety of applications that demonstrate the versatility of these agents, including the treatment of primary malignant brain tumors, the generation of selective brain lesions to localize critical functions, and the targeting of the AIDS virus. Each readily reproducible method is optimized for experimental success with hands-on instructions, invaluable notes on pitfalls to avoid, and informative explanations of why certain steps are necessary.
Authoritative and highly practical, Immunotoxin Methods and Protocols provides today's cancer researchers, neuroscientists, and oncologists with state-of-the-art tools for exploring these powerful biological agents and their rapidly increasing applications.