Cancer is the term used to describe uncontrolled cell growth which can lead to tumour formation. Normal cell growth is organised and controlled by genes. Two different groups of genes known as oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes play a key role in tumour development. Mutations and aberrant function in these genes can lead to normal cells becoming cancerous. Tumours once established can spread to other sites within the body. This phenomenon is known as metastasis and is responsible for the majority of cancer related deaths.
 
 
Cancer will have a direct effect on 1 in 3 people during their lifetime. Our increased life expectancy and modern lifestyles (diet, smoking, alcohol and stress) all act as contributory factors. The most common cancers amongst men are prostate, colorectal and lung with the incidence of these cancers expected to increase by 57% by 2020(Irish Cancer society). The most common cancers amongst women are breast, lung and bowel cancers and over the last 20 years the incidence of breast cancer has increased by 50% (CRUK). 350 000 new cases of colorectal cancer are reported in the western world per year while in Europe there are approximately   430 000 new cases of breast cancer diagnosed every year.

 

Cytotoxic chemotherapies have formed the cornerstone of frontline cancer therapy for the last 30 years. While effective in some patients this group of drugs has been hampered by their toxic side effects, high relapse rates and an increasing incidence of drug specific resistance. In recent years the introduction of antibody targeted therapies has led to major improvements in cancer care. The development of antibodies to different targets can overcome the resistance observed with conventional chemotherapies by targeting different pathways. The success of several antibody based therapies in the clinic, such as Avastin (Genentech) and Herceptin (Genentech and Roche) has increased demand for monoclonal antibody therapies with the market expected to reach $26 billion by 2010. Antibody based therapies are now recognized as key components of modern frontline cancer therapies. Fusion Antibodies oncology research is focused on the discovery, validation and development of novel therapeutic antibodies for the treatment of cancer.