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JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute 2001 93(10):736-738; doi:10.1093/jnci/93.10.736
© 2001 by Oxford University Press
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Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Vol. 93, No. 10, 736-738, May 16, 2001
© 2001 Oxford University Press

NEWS

Targeted Toxins Begin to Live Up to Early Expectations

Tracy Thompson

Early results of a phase I study of the targeted toxin BL22 look promising: 11 of 16 patients with chemotherapy-resistant hairy cell leukemia had complete remissions lasting up to 18 months, most without major side effects. More importantly, the results, combined with other recent successes, have scientists cautiously optimistic that immunotoxins may be beginning to fulfill the promise that has been associated with them for decades.

BL22 is the result of more than 15 years of work by researchers who are attempting to design cancer therapeutics using recombinant DNA techniques, but the concept of linking a toxin to some sort of binding element that would seek out a cancer cell has been talked about for decades. In the last 20 years, monoclonal antibodies, recombinant DNA, and molecular biology techniques have progressed to make design of these molecules possible.

Logical Progression

The standard treatments for cancer—chemotherapy and radiation—kill dividing cells indiscriminately. Side effects . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Better Drugs Through Learning

The First Glimmers


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