Example of chemically linked Fabs: two
Fab' fragments linked with a thioether, resulting in a F(ab')2. The molecule is bound to a tumour cell via the tumour antigen
CD30 and to a
macrophage via an
Fc receptor.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s,
clinical trials with chemically linked Fabs were conducted for the treatment of various types of
cancer. Early results were promising,[3][4] but the concept was dropped because of high production costs.[5]
^Glennie, M. J.; McBride, H. M.; Worth, A. T.; Stevenson, G. T. (1987). "Preparation and performance of bispecific F(ab' gamma)2 antibody containing thioether-linked Fab' gamma fragments". Journal of Immunology. 139 (7): 2367–2375.
doi:
10.4049/jimmunol.139.7.2367.
PMID2958547.