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Updated: May 8, 2026

Assessment of Human Natural Killer Cell Events Driven by FcγRIIIa Engagement in the Presence of Therapeutic Antibodies
Published on: May 22, 2020
Fcγ receptors enable anticancer action of proapoptotic and immune-modulatory antibodies
1Department of Cancer Immunotherapy and Hematology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA.
Antibodies have important roles in controlling cellular immunity through interaction with activating or inhibitory Fcγ receptors (FcγRs). FcγR engagement can facilitate receptor cross-linking on target cells, or induce retrograde FcγR signals to stimulate or suppress antibody-dependent, cell-mediated depletion of antigen-bearing target cells. Recent studies uncover unexpectedly important roles for FcγRs in the anticancer action of antibodies designed to trigger tumor cell apoptosis or enhance antitumor immunity. Here, we outline a conceptual framework for understanding these findings and discuss their mechanistic and translational implications.
Antibodies have important roles in controlling cellular immunity through interaction with activating or inhibitory Fcγ receptors (FcγRs). FcγR engagement can facilitate receptor cross-linking on target cells, or induce retrograde FcγR signals to stimulate or suppress antibody-dependent, cell-mediated depletion of antigen-bearing target cells. Recent studies uncover unexpectedly important roles for FcγRs in the anticancer action of antibodies designed to trigger tumor cell apoptosis or enhance antitumor immunity. Here, we outline a conceptual framework for understanding these findings and discuss their mechanistic and translational implications.
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