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Review
. 2018 Oct;33(8):330-335.
doi: 10.1089/cbr.2018.2481. Epub 2018 Aug 22.

Radioimmunotherapy as a Novel Approach in HIV, Bacterial, and Fungal Infectious Diseases

Muath Helal  1 , Ekaterina Dadachova  1
Affiliations
Review

Radioimmunotherapy as a Novel Approach in HIV, Bacterial, and Fungal Infectious Diseases

Muath Helal et al. Cancer Biother Radiopharm. 2018 Oct.

Abstract

In the past several decades, many antimicrobial agents have been used in treating different fungal, bacterial, and viral infections. However, these agents have faced challenges such as pronounced side-effect profiles and pathogen resistance. In addition, a cure for many chronic infections such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has not been achieved, and the incidence of opportunistic infections in immunocompromised patients has increased significantly in the past decades. Therefore, an alternative strategy for combating these infections is needed. Radioimmunotherapy (RIT) has been proposed to be a valuable tool in the management of such infections. The side-effects associated with RIT are minimal as the targeted antigens are only expressed on microbial or infected cells. RIT demonstrated impressive potency in eradicating pathogens in animal models and patient samples. Cryptococcus neoformans, HIV, and Bacillus anthracis are few examples of infections for which RIT has been an effective treatment using radionuclides such as bismuth-213 (213Bi) or rhenium-188 (188Re).

Keywords: HIV; bacterial infections; fungal infections; monoclonal antibody; radioimmunotherapy.

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Conflict of interest statement

No competing financial interests exist.

Figures

<b>FIG. 1.</b>
FIG. 1.
Survival of infected cells when treated with different antiretroviral agents with or without 213Bi-labeled mAbs. Results show that using 213Bi-labeled mAbs with all retroviral agents significantly enhanced the cytotoxicity of agents against HIV-infected cells. ATZ, atazanavir; FTC, emtricitabine; TFV, tenofovir; EFV, efavirenz; mAb, monoclonal antibody; HIV, human immunodeficiency virus. *statistically significant difference.
<b>FIG. 2.</b>
FIG. 2.
Graph showing the potency of 213Bi-2556 in killing HIV cells located in the brain. 213Bi-2556 was able to cross the blood–brain barrier (in vitro) and kill only HIV-infected cells at lower doses. However, when higher doses of radiation were used (50.0 μCi), RIT killed noninfected cells as well. RIT, radioimmunotherapy. *statistically significant difference.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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