Perspectives of application of monoclonal antibody drug conjugate to family planning
Xu, W.X.
Sheng Zhi Yu Bi Yun 11(1): 3-7
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0253-357X PMID: 12343817 Document Number: 327255
Developing a drug conjugate which would damage fertilized eggs or fetal cells, disrupt fetal implantation, and disrupt early or mid-term pregnancy is a new research area in the development of a contraceptive vaccine. Drugs are carried through monoclonal antibodies to specified localities, which may include a fertilized egg, a fetus, or their surface cells, causing damage and spontaneous abortion in order to achieve contraception. The research could be focused on specifying a target antigen, choice of anti-conceptive drug, and binding of a monoclonal antibody with the drugs. The possible target antigen should be unique to the fertilized egg or to early pregnancy, and it should be easily obtained or synthesized. ZP on the surface of the egg, AFP, Placenta Protein, and uterine secretions are possible sources for a target antigen. The screening of drugs conjugate could take into account the following criteria. 1). Drugs are proven to have contraceptive effects and the mechanism of drug functioning is already known. 2) The chemical structure of drugs is known, so that chemical effects resulting in a combination with monoclonal antibodies can be pursued. 3) The dosage of drugs targeting a fertilized egg or fetus should have no effects which would cause fetal deformity. In terms of drug conjugation with monoclonal antibodies, the monoclonal antibodies should maintain their specificity after drug conjugation. The drug itself should maintain its activity. Drug concentration should be adequate to produce effects on target cells. The anti-conception drug conjugates have promising prospects for birth control. Further clarification about the immunological properties of monoclonal antibodies is needed before clinical applications occur.