BiTEs: bispecific antibody constructs with unique anti-tumor activity

Many new cancer therapies under development are trying to elicit specific T-cell responses against tumor cells. BiTE, a new class of bispecific antibodies, is in clinical trials and shows unique properties in directing non-specific T cells against tumor cells. Bispecific T-cell engager molecules (Bi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Drug discovery today 2005-09, Vol.10 (18), p.1237-1244
Main Authors: Wolf, Evelyn, Hofmeister, Robert, Kufer, Peter, Schlereth, Bernd, Baeuerle, Patrick A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Antibodies, Bispecific - pharmacology
Antibodies, Bispecific - therapeutic use
antibody
Biological and medical sciences
Bispecific T-cell engager molecules
Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
General pharmacology
Humans
Lymphocyte Activation
Medical sciences
Neoplasms - immunology
Neoplasms - therapy
Pharmaceutical technology. Pharmaceutical industry
Pharmacology. Drug treatments
T cell
T-Lymphocytes - immunology
tumor cell
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Summary:Many new cancer therapies under development are trying to elicit specific T-cell responses against tumor cells. BiTE, a new class of bispecific antibodies, is in clinical trials and shows unique properties in directing non-specific T cells against tumor cells. Bispecific T-cell engager molecules (BiTEs) constitute a class of bispecific single-chain antibodies for the polyclonal activation and redirection of cytotoxic T cells against pathogenic target cells. BiTEs combine a unique set of properties that have not yet been reported for any other kind of bispecific antibody construct, namely extraordinary potency and efficacy against target cells at low T-cell numbers without the need for T-cell co-stimulation. Here we review novel insights into the mechanism of BiTE action, which help to explain the unique features of BiTEs, as well as data from various animal models demonstrating the outstanding therapeutic potential of BiTEs for the treatment of malignant diseases.
ISSN:1359-6446
1878-5832
DOI:10.1016/S1359-6446(05)03554-3