Development of a dual label fluorescence technique that can be utilized to elucidate the mechanism of action of monoclonal antibody-drug conjugates.

A method is described that allows the simultaneous visualization and relative assessment of both the antibody and drug components of monoclonal antibody-drug conjugates at the target cell membrane. The antibody is detected by a fluorescein-conjugated anti-mouse immunoglobulin serum while the drug is visualized by rhodamine avidin or phycoerythrin-streptavidin binding to a biotinylated anti-Vinca alkaloid monoclonal antibody. This technique was effective in demonstrating the cell surface localization of a monoclonal antibody-Vinca alkaloid conjugate to human lung adenocarcinoma cells grown in vitro and was also used to demonstrate targeting of the conjugate in vivo to the membranes of these same tumor cells grown as a nude mouse xenograft. This method was also utilized to help elucidate the mechanism of action of monoclonal antibody-drug conjugates.