Which one of the following would you first need to determine is uniquely express

Question

Which one of the following would you first need to determine is uniquely expressed in a tumor cell in order to change a “blocking” monoclonal antibody like Herceptin or Cetuximab into a chemotherapeutic “smart bomb” to target just that cell?

A. An overexpressed tumor-specific transcription factor (e.g., c-myc). B. A tumor-specific protein kinase (e.g., BRAFV600E). C. A tumor-specific absence of a tumor suppressor like NF1 or p53. D. A tumor-specific G protein (e.g., RasD). E. A tumor-specific integral plasma membrane protein.

Explanation / Answer

B. A tumor-specific protein kinase (e.g. BRAFV600E)

Cetuximab is an epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor and Herceptin is also an inhibitor of another member of another family of epidermal growth factor which is a receptor tyrosine protein kinase. Epidermal growth factor receptor is a cell surface receptor fpor members of the epidermal growth factor family. This receptor is a member of receptor tyrosine kinases family. Therefore, this receptor dimerizes and upon phosphorylation activates a number of downstream signaling molecules. Some of the downstream molecules are protein kinases. Hence these molecules like herceptin and Cetuximab may have a good therapeutic application.

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