BC Cancer Agency

Published purpose

The team will perform studies to test the potential therapeutic efficacy of a new antibody (Ab)-based drug, called a single domain Ab (sdAb), that specifically blocks the activity of a protein called carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX). CAIX is expressed by cancer cells in environments with low levels of oxygen (hypoxia) and is used by cancer cells to regulate proper metabolism, allowing for survival in hypoxia. Cancer cells will be cultured and tested whether the sdAbs are able to block the activity of CAIX produced on these cells. The team willl carry out experiments to determine whether sdAbs inhibit the growth of cultured cancer cells. The team will also investigate whether sdAbs that carry a toxin will kill cancer cells. Based on these experiments, the team willl conduct studies to determine whether the sdAbs, with or without toxins, are able to block the growth of human tumors in mice. These initial studies are a first step in developing CAIX-specific sdAbs for use as cancer therapies.