Antibody inhibiting enzymatic activity of tumour-associated carbonic anhydrase isoform IX

Abstract

Carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX) is a hypoxia-induced, membrane-tethered enzyme that is highly expressed in many cancers. It catalyses the hydration of CO 2 to HCO3- and H+, and the reverse dehydration reaction. Recent studies have shown an important role for CAIX in pH regulation and it has been speculated that CAIX may play a role in supporting cancer progression towards more aggressive forms of the disease. Clinical correlative studies in many tumours have shown that high expression is related to poor outcome. In the present study, we have selected antigen-binding antibody fragments (Fab) against human CAIX by phage-display, and tested these for inhibitory potency on CAIX catalytic activity. ..