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Published on: May 16, 2020

A mechanistic perspective of monoclonal antibodies in cancer therapy beyond target-related effects

Scott E Strome1, Edward A Sausville, Dean Mann

  • 1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201-1619, USA. sstrome@smail.umaryland.edu

The Oncologist
|October 5, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Monoclonal antibodies are vital cancer therapies targeting specific molecules. Their efficacy also depends on immune activation via the antibody

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Immunology
  • Biotechnology

Background:

  • Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are established and emerging therapies for cancer treatment.
  • These agents target specific molecular pathways crucial for tumor cell proliferation and survival.
  • Validated targets include CD20, HER2, VEGF, and EGFR in various malignancies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the mechanisms of action for monoclonal antibodies in cancer therapy.
  • To highlight the role of immune-mediated effector functions in mAb efficacy.
  • To emphasize the variability in immune activation based on antibody characteristics.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on monoclonal antibody mechanisms in oncology.
  • Analysis of target-specific and immune-mediated pathways of mAb action.
  • Discussion of factors influencing Fc-mediated effector functions.

Main Results:

  • Monoclonal antibody efficacy is linked to direct target inhibition and immune system activation.
  • Immune effector functions like antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) contribute significantly.
  • The antibody's Fc domain, isotype, and glycosylation influence the magnitude of immune activation.

Conclusions:

  • Monoclonal antibodies possess dual mechanisms of action: direct targeting and immune stimulation.
  • The ability to activate immune-mediated effector functions varies considerably among different mAbs.
  • Antibodies targeting the same antigen are not functionally equivalent due to differences in Fc-mediated immunity.

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