Research: Overview

At the present time, the overall goal of the research conducted at GSCC is the laboratory development and clinical application of Biological Response Modifiers, including monoclonal antibodies and cytokines, for detection, diagnosis, and therapy of cancer. A major problem in cancer medicine has been the inability of currently utilized technologies, whether diagnostic or therapeutic in nature, to distinguish between normal and malignant tissue. A general lack of discriminatory power for these procedures has created a barrier toward effective patient management. Increased survival over that currently observed may come about by 1) early detection of the disease when curative procedures (e.g., surgery) are most effective; 2) better use of currently available treatment agents; and 3) development of new tumoricidal agents.

GSCC research investigators, as well as others, have amply demonstrated that monoclonal antibodies, having the ability to react with their target antigens in a specific manner, can be utilized to achieve the above goals. Although primarily focused on the use of radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies for imaging and treatment of cancer, GSCCs peer-reviewed investigators have also developed independent research programs in related areas, including identification of new target antigens; second antibody, pretargeting approaches; antibody-toxin, -drug and/or -cytokine conjugates; novel methods for labeling antibodies with a variety of isotopes such as boron, 131I, 111In, 90Y, and 99mTc; identification of new cytokines; bifunctional antibodies; and antibody metabolism.