The use of immunoconjugates in cancer therapy

Those immunoconjugates that have entered clinical trials (i.e., immunotoxins, radiolabelled and bispecific antibodies) have shown promising antitumour activity in haematopoietic tumours (lymphomas/leukaemias). To eliminate large solid tumours, immunoconjugates will require changes in both the antibody and effector moieties since these tumours are poorly vascularised and rarely express tumour-specific antigens. This review describes improvements which may have a major impact on the next generation of immunoconjugates.