ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses critical evaluation is made of some of the general problems inherent to this approach, and some ideas are advanced that may aid in optimization to make antibody-oligonucleotide conjugate (AbOL) conjugates successful tools for cancer therapy. Antisense and antigene oligonucleotides provide an exciting avenue for the potential therapy of many significant diseases, including infection and cancer. The aim of any drug delivery system should be to increase the therapeutic index of the drug. If AbOLs show similar behavior and hence have similar limitations, particular tumor models could allow alternative routes of delivery, intralymphatic or intraperitoneal. Several classes of cytotoxic drugs have been investigated tor the design of immunoconjugates including alkylating agents, antimetabolites, vinca alkaloids and their analogs, and, in particular, methotrexate. To be effective drugs, AbOLs will require a number of desirable features relating to the linker, the oligonucleotide, the antibody component, and the target antigen.
