Klin Onkol 2003; 16(3): 134-137.
Summary: Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a severe complication of allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Donor T cells play major role in GVHD leading to the host tissue damage, mainly of the skin, liver, and gastrointestinal tract. T cell depletion leads to a decreasing risk of GVHD but also to an increasing risk of opportunistic infections, a relapse of the underlying disease, and a graft rejection. The selective depletion using an anti-CD25 immunotoxin can eliminate harmful alloreactive T cells while preserving other donor T cells with antileukemic and antibacterial reactivity. This review summarizes preclinical testing of the anti-CD25 immunotoxin performed by the authors and presents general characteristics of immunotoxins in anticancer therapy.
