Single chain antibody variable regions

Trends Biotechnol. 1991 Apr;9(4):132-7. doi: 10.1016/0167-7799(91)90044-i.

Abstract

The use of antibodies or antibody fragments for targeting tumors (either for tumor imaging or as carriers for drugs or toxins), has encountered problems of clearance, and non-specific or inefficient binding in clinical trials. A novel approach, linking two antibody variable fragments (Fvs), with a short peptide to generate a continuous polypeptide chain, may be able to overcome some of these problems. Since these single chain antibody variable regions (scFvs), are transcribed from constructed 'genes', large-scale production in, for example, E. coli, should be straightforward.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains / chemistry*
  • Immunoglobulin Light Chains / chemistry*
  • Immunoglobulin Variable Region / chemistry*
  • Immunoglobulin Variable Region / therapeutic use
  • Immunotoxins / chemical synthesis
  • Protein Engineering / methods*

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains
  • Immunoglobulin Light Chains
  • Immunoglobulin Variable Region
  • Immunotoxins