PROCESS FOR LABELLING IMMUNOGLOBULINS

摘要

A process is disclosed for labelling immunoglobulins, in particular monoclonal antibodies or their fragments. The labelled immunoglobulins may be detected thanks to their radioactivity or colour intensity. They may be used for medical purposes, in particular for diagnosis and therapy in nuclear medicine, and for biochemical purposes. NeuNAc derivatives modified at positions 5 and/or 9 are bound by a sialyltransferase to the oligosaccharide components of the immunoglobulins. The NeuNAc derivatives are present in an active form bound to CMP. This process allows imunoglobulins to be labelled in particularly gentle reaction conditions. The admixture of damaging chemicals, such as oxidising and reducing agents, is avoided. The immunoglobulins are modified with high selectivity only at defined structures of the oligosaccharide chains, so that any changes in the antigen-binding zones may be excluded.