The mode of action of Methotrexate-monoclonal antibody conjugates

Abstract

Drug-monoclonal antibody conjugates have been evaluated for their specificity and toxicity towards tumour cells in vitro and in vivo; however, few studies have investigated their mode of entry into cells and mechanism of action. In this study the uptake and toxic effect of three different Methotrexate-monoclonal antibody (MTX-MoAb) conjugates (MTX-anti-transferrin receptor (TFR), MTX-anti-LY-2.1 and MTX- anti-L3T4) were examined and compared with free MTX. It was concluded that MTX and these MTX-MoAb conjugates gain entry into tumour cells and are processed by different mechanisms, considering the following results: (a) alterations in temperature had a greater effect on the toxicity of MTX-M..