ANTIBODIES WITH ANTI-TUMOR ACTIVITY
Introduction
The invention is a subset of new anticancer molecules able to block the uptake of non-transferrin-bound iron by cancer cells, so eliminating a pivotal and particularly enhanced energy source in the neoplastic cells.

Technical features
The invention consists in the development of new bio-tolerable antibodies (humanized, chimeras) capable of blocking the membrane proteins DMT (Divalent Metal Transporter) and ZIP (Zinc-regulated transporter Iron-regulated transporter like Protein) assigned to the internalization of non-transferrin-bound iron inside cancer cells. This interaction results in an intracellular depletion of non-transferrin-bound iron with subsequent metabolic and proliferative blockage of the cancer cells, mechanism that can be exploited for therapeutic purposes in cancer patients.
Possible Applications
- Oncology;
- Precision medicine;
- Oncohaematology;
- Cytostatic mono-/polytherapy;
- Chemotherapy protocols;
- Rescue chemotherapy;
- Molecular targeted therapy;
- Oncotherapy of «big killers».
Advantages
- Activity towards solid and liquid malignancies;
- Higher activity against aggressive cancers;
- Activity towards tumors with multiple genetic mutations and with epigenetic alterations;
- Activity in tumors with microsatellite instability;
- Associable with other chemotherapy drugs also conjugated with transferrin.