Antibody that targets and kills leukemia cells

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego have discovered an antibody that targets and kills leukemia cells. Leukemia cells are kept alive by receiving survival signals from adjacent non-tumor cells. These signals are transported through the antigen CD44. The new monoclonal antibody, RG7356, targets and binds to this antigen CD44 and causes CD44 to transmit an apoptosis signal opposed to a survival signal to the tumor cell. The apoptosis signal also does not affect adjacent, non-tumor cells. Unlike other monoclonal antibodies that need effector cells to kill tumor cells, the RG7356 antibody does not need any effector cells to have a direct effect on leukemia cells. The researchers plan to initiate clinical trials in 'the not-too-distant future.'

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130325160234.htm