Immunoconjugates are antibodies conjugated (joined) to a second molecule, usually a toxin, radioisotope or label.

These conjugates are used in immunotherapy and to develop monoclonal antibody therapy as a targeted form of chemotherapy when they are often known as antibody-drug conjugates.

Immunoconjugates that include a radioisotope are used in radioimmunotherapy. When immunoconjugates include a toxin, they are known as immunotoxins.

References

Further reading

• Technology Insight: cytotoxic drug immunoconjugates for cancer therapy. 2007 looks useful from the abstract.

• Targeted Therapy of Cancer: New Prospects for Antibodies and Immunoconjugates. 2006 full article, 18 pages.

• Arming antibodies: prospects and challenges for immunoconjugates. 2005 10 pages.