Modular transporters for subcellular cell-specific targeting of anti-tumor drugs.

A major problem in the treatment of cancer is the specific targeting of anti-tumor drugs to these abnormal cells. Ideally, such a drug should act over short distances to minimize damage to healthy cells, and target subcellular compartments that have the highest sensitivity to the drug. Photosensitizers, alpha-emitting radionuclides and many other medicines could be considered as such drugs if they possessed cellular and subcellular specificity. The author describes a novel approach of using modular recombinant transporters to target photosensitizers and alpha-emitting radionuclides to the nucleus, where their action is most pronounced, of cancer cells. Photosensitizer-transporter conjugates have up to 3000 times greater efficacy than free photosensitizers and display cell specificity in contrast to free photosensitizers. Alpha-emitting radionuclides, conjugated with the modular transporters, acquired similar properties. The different modules of the transporters are interchangeable, meaning that they can be tailored for particular applications.