Monalizumab

Monalizumab is a monoclonal antibody used in cancer immunotherapy.

Monalizumab is a monoclonal antibody that targets the NKG2A receptor, which is an inhibitory receptor found on natural killer cells and some T cells. It is being investigated for its potential use in cancer immunotherapy.

Mechanism of Action

Monalizumab works by blocking the interaction between NKG2A and its ligand, HLA-E. NKG2A is an inhibitory receptor that, when engaged, can dampen the immune response. By inhibiting this interaction, monalizumab can enhance the activity of natural killer cells and T cells, promoting a stronger immune response against cancer cells.

Clinical Development

Monalizumab is currently undergoing clinical trials to evaluate its efficacy and safety in treating various types of cancer, including head and neck cancer, ovarian cancer, and colorectal cancer. Early studies have shown promise, with some patients experiencing tumor shrinkage and improved survival rates.

Potential Benefits

The use of monalizumab in cancer therapy offers several potential benefits:

• Enhanced Immune Response: By blocking the inhibitory signals, monalizumab can potentiate the body's natural immune response against tumors.
• Combination Therapy: Monalizumab is being studied in combination with other immunotherapies, such as PD-1 inhibitors, to assess synergistic effects.
• Broad Applicability: The mechanism of action suggests that monalizumab could be effective against a wide range of cancers.

Side Effects

As with many immunotherapies, monalizumab can cause immune-related side effects. These may include:

• Fatigue
• Fever
• Skin rash
• Gastrointestinal disturbances

Patients receiving monalizumab are closely monitored for these and other potential adverse effects.

Research and Development

Monalizumab is being developed by Innate Pharma in collaboration with AstraZeneca. The ongoing research aims to better understand the optimal use of monalizumab in cancer treatment and to identify which patient populations may benefit the most.

Also see

• Cancer immunotherapy
• Monoclonal antibody therapy
• Natural killer cell
• PD-1 inhibitor