Antibodies are natural proteins produced by a type of normal white blood cell called a B-lymphocyte that circulate in our blood stream and protect us against infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses and fungi. They work by identifying the shape of molecules termed antigens on the surface of these infectious agents very much like a key fitting a lock. Each molecule has a different antibody or key that fits only that particular one and each antibody is therefore specific for only one particular molecule.
Leukaemia Busters scientists are able to make monoclonal antibodies against molecules or antigens on the surface of leukaemia cells that selectively recognise the leukaemia cells but not the majority of normal cells in the patients body. These leukaemia selective antibodies can then be used to develop new treatments where the antibody is used as a guided missile to deliver a powerful toxin directly to the leukaemia cells thereby killing them.
Leukaemia Busters scientists working from the CTSU laboratory are developing whole families of novel monoclonal antibodies against leukaemia cells that we anticipate will perform more effectively that existing ones and from which we will develop the next generation of antibody-based treatments for human leukaemia and related conditions such as lymphoma and myeloma.
