Nanobodies and Cancer: Current Status and New Perspectives

ABSTRACT

Reducing the dimension of antigen-binding proteins to an only immunoglobulin domain has been one of the objectives of antibody manufacturing. Heavy chain antibodies were encountered while attempting to separate the blood serum proteins of dromedaries. Later the term “nanobodies” (Nbs) was introduced. The advantageous features of Nbs comprise little immunogenicity, stability at low/high pH, capacity to target antigens that are less antigenic, and, lastly, easy capability to be used for therapy against tumor cells.

Presently, Nbs have been used for several medical and biotechnological purposes. Numerous Nb-derived formats have been positively proved useful for targeting drug delivery, and bioimaging.

KEYWORDS:

• Camelid
• cancer
• nanobody
• drug delivery
• monoclonal antibody
• molecular imaging

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Ms. Nina Merryweather for the editing of the text.

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest

No potential conflicts of interest were disclosed.

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.