Trifunctional antibody: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 20:59, 9 February 2025

A type of monoclonal antibody used in cancer treatment

Trifunctional antibodies are a class of monoclonal antibodies designed to engage three different types of cells to enhance the immune response against cancer cells. These antibodies are engineered to bind to two different antigens and recruit immune effector cells, thereby facilitating the destruction of tumor cells.

Mechanism of action

Trifunctional antibodies are unique in their ability to simultaneously bind to three different targets. Typically, one arm of the antibody binds to a tumor-associated antigen on the cancer cell, while the other arm binds to an antigen on an immune cell, such as a T cell or a natural killer cell. The Fc region of the antibody can also bind to Fc receptors on macrophages and other immune cells. This tri-specific binding facilitates the formation of a cytotoxic synapse between the immune cells and the cancer cells, leading to the targeted destruction of the tumor cells.

Development and applications

Trifunctional antibodies are developed using quadroma technology, which involves the fusion of two different hybridoma cells, each producing a different monoclonal antibody. This results in a single antibody with two different antigen-binding sites. The first trifunctional antibody to be approved for clinical use was catumaxomab, which targets the EpCAM antigen on tumor cells and the CD3 antigen on T cells.

Clinical use

Catumaxomab has been used in the treatment of malignant ascites in patients with EpCAM-positive tumors. The antibody facilitates the recruitment of T cells and other immune effector cells to the site of the tumor, enhancing the immune-mediated destruction of cancer cells. Clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy of catumaxomab in reducing ascites and improving patient outcomes.

Related pages

References

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-'''Trifunctional antibody''' is a type of [[antibody]] that has been engineered to have three distinct functional properties. These antibodies are designed to enhance the body's immune response to [[cancer]] cells and other harmful agents.
+{{Short description|A type of monoclonal antibody used in cancer treatment}}
+{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
-== Structure and Function ==
+'''Trifunctional antibodies''' are a class of [[monoclonal antibodies]] designed to engage three different types of cells to enhance the immune response against [[cancer]] cells. These antibodies are engineered to bind to two different antigens and recruit immune effector cells, thereby facilitating the destruction of tumor cells.
-A trifunctional antibody is composed of two different [[antigen]] binding sites and a functional [[Fc region]]. The two antigen binding sites allow the antibody to bind to two different targets simultaneously, while the Fc region can interact with immune cells to trigger an immune response.
+==Mechanism of action==
+Trifunctional antibodies are unique in their ability to simultaneously bind to three different targets. Typically, one arm of the antibody binds to a [[tumor-associated antigen]] on the cancer cell, while the other arm binds to an antigen on an [[immune cell]], such as a [[T cell]] or a [[natural killer cell]]. The [[Fc region]] of the antibody can also bind to [[Fc receptors]] on [[macrophages]] and other immune cells. This tri-specific binding facilitates the formation of a [[cytotoxic synapse]] between the immune cells and the cancer cells, leading to the targeted destruction of the tumor cells.
-The first function of a trifunctional antibody is to bind to a specific antigen on the surface of a cancer cell. The second function is to bind to a different antigen on the surface of an immune cell, such as a [[T cell]] or [[natural killer cell]]. This dual binding capability allows the antibody to bring the immune cell into close proximity with the cancer cell, facilitating the immune cell's attack on the cancer cell.
+[[File:Catumaxomab_mechanism.svg|thumb|right|300px|Mechanism of action of trifunctional antibodies.]]
-The third function of a trifunctional antibody is to activate the immune system through the Fc region. This region can bind to [[Fc receptors]] on other immune cells, triggering a cascade of immune responses that can lead to the destruction of the cancer cell.
+==Development and applications==
+Trifunctional antibodies are developed using [[quadroma technology]], which involves the fusion of two different [[hybridoma]] cells, each producing a different monoclonal antibody. This results in a single antibody with two different antigen-binding sites. The first trifunctional antibody to be approved for clinical use was [[catumaxomab]], which targets the [[EpCAM]] antigen on tumor cells and the [[CD3]] antigen on T cells.
-== Clinical Applications ==
+[[File:Quadroma_antibodies.svg|thumb|right|300px|Production of trifunctional antibodies using quadroma technology.]]
-Trifunctional antibodies have been investigated for use in the treatment of various types of cancer, including [[breast cancer]], [[lung cancer]], and [[melanoma]]. They have shown promise in preclinical and early clinical trials, demonstrating an ability to enhance the body's immune response to cancer cells and potentially improve patient outcomes.
+==Clinical use==
+Catumaxomab has been used in the treatment of [[malignant ascites]] in patients with [[epithelial cell adhesion molecule|EpCAM]]-positive tumors. The antibody facilitates the recruitment of T cells and other immune effector cells to the site of the tumor, enhancing the immune-mediated destruction of cancer cells. Clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy of catumaxomab in reducing ascites and improving patient outcomes.
-One example of a trifunctional antibody is [[catumaxomab]], which is approved in Europe for the treatment of malignant ascites in patients with [[epithelial cell]] cancers. Catumaxomab binds to the [[EpCAM]] antigen on cancer cells and the [[CD3]] antigen on T cells, and activates immune cells through its Fc region.
+==Related pages==
+* [[Monoclonal antibody therapy]]
+* [[Cancer immunotherapy]]
+* [[Hybridoma technology]]
-== Future Directions ==
+==References==
+{{Reflist}}
-Research is ongoing to develop new trifunctional antibodies and to optimize their design for improved efficacy and safety. Potential areas of focus include the identification of new antigen targets, the engineering of antibodies with enhanced binding affinity or specificity, and the development of strategies to minimize potential side effects.
+[[Category:Monoclonal antibodies]]
-[[Category:Antibodies]]
-[[Category:Immunotherapy]]
 [[Category:Cancer treatments]]
-{{Medicine-stub}}