Development of MGD007, a gpA33 x CD3-Bispecific DART Protein for T-Cell Immunotherapy of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

T cell engaging bispecific antibody (T-BsAb): From technology to therapeutics

Harnessing the power of the human immune system to treat cancer is the essence of immunotherapy. Monoclonal antibodies engage the innate immune system to destroy targeted cells. For the last 30years, antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity and complement-dependent cytotoxicity have been the main mechanisms of anti-tumor action of unconjugated antibody drugs. Efforts to exploit the potentials of other immune cells, in particular T cells, culminated in the recent approval of two T cell engaging bispecific antibody (T-BsAb) drugs, thereby stimulating new efforts to accelerate similar platforms through preclinical and clinical trials. In this review, we have compiled the worldwide effort in exploring T cell engaging bispecific antibodies. Our special emphasis is on the lessons learned, with the hope to derive insights in this fast evolving field with tremendous clinical potential.

Novel therapeutics in metastatic colorectal cancer: molecular insights and pharmacogenomic implications

Although the survival of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients has improved five-fold over the last century, CRC remains a significant global health burden. Impressive strides have been made in identifying new regimens, employing maintenance strategies to limit treatment toxicities, and combining multidisciplinary approaches to achieve cure in oligometastatic disease. Attempts at personalized integration of targeted agents have been limited by the ability to identify molecularly enriched patient populations most likely to benefit. In this review, we discuss novel therapeutics and regimens recently approved and in development for mCRC. In addition, we discuss using older agents in novel combination and maintenance strategies, and highlight evidence for implementing pharmacogenomic data and non-invasive monitoring into the personalized management of mCRC patients.

Immunocytokines and bispecific antibodies: two complementary strategies for the selective activation of immune cells at the tumor site

The activation of the immune system for a selective removal of tumor cells represents an attractive strategy for the treatment of metastatic malignancies, which cannot be cured by existing methodologies. In this review, we examine the design and therapeutic potential of immunocytokines and bispecific antibodies, two classes of bifunctional products which can selectively activate the immune system at the tumor site. Certain protein engineering aspects, such as the choice of the antibody format, are common to both classes of therapeutic agents and can have a profound impact on tumor homing performance in vivo of individual products. However, immunocytokines and bispecific antibodies display different mechanisms of action. Future research activities will reveal whether an additive of even synergistic benefit can be obtained from the judicious combination of these two types of biopharmaceutical agents.

Bispecific antibodies and their applications

Bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) recognize two different epitopes. This dual specificity opens up a wide range of applications, including redirecting T cells to tumor cells, blocking two different signaling pathways simultaneously, dual targeting of different disease mediators, and delivering payloads to targeted sites. The approval of catumaxomab (anti-EpCAM and anti-CD3) and blinatumomab (anti-CD19 and anti-CD3) has become a major milestone in the development of bsAbs. Currently, more than 60 different bsAb formats exist, some of them making their way into the clinical pipeline. This review summarizes diverse formats of bsAbs and their clinical applications and sheds light on strategies to optimize the design of bsAbs.