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Published on: April 22, 2019
Tumor and T cell engagement by BiTE
1Oncology Research, Amgen Inc., South San Francisco, California 94080, USA.
Abstract:
Cancer immunotherapy attempts to exploit the capability of the immune system to attack malignant cells. Recent results suggest that clinical responses in patients point to this new mechanism as potentially beneficial in harnessing the immune system for combating established malignancies. These checkpoint-related immunotherapies rely on engaging a subset of T cells in anti-tumor immune responses. BiTE® (Bi-specific T cell engager) represents a distinct modality that directly engages any T cell and a specific antigen expressing tumor cell. The approach offers the advantage of engaging T cells and patient tumor cells that differentially express a specific cell surface antigen. The specificity confers redirected tumor cell killing and recent clinical data with the BiTE blinatumomab show evidence of clinical remissions. The characteristics of a suitable BiTE with the benefit of CD3 mediated T cell recognition and articulation of tumor specific antigens combined in this therapeutic modality is described here.
Insights
Cancer immunotherapy harnesses the immune system to fight tumors. Bi-specific T cell engagers (BiTEs) redirect T cells to kill cancer cells, showing promising clinical remissions.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Cancer immunotherapy aims to leverage the immune system against malignant cells.
- Checkpoint inhibitors engage T cells for anti-tumor responses.
- Bi-specific T cell engagers (BiTEs) offer a distinct approach to engage T cells and tumor cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the characteristics of an effective BiTE therapy.
- To highlight the mechanism of CD3-mediated T cell engagement and tumor antigen recognition.
- To present clinical evidence supporting BiTE efficacy.
Main Methods:
- Description of the BiTE modality, focusing on its ability to engage T cells and tumor cells.
- Explanation of T cell redirection via CD3 and tumor-specific antigens.
- Review of clinical data from blinatumomab, a representative BiTE therapy.
Main Results:
- BiTEs engage T cells to recognize and target tumor cells expressing specific antigens.
- Blinatumomab has demonstrated clinical remissions in patients.
- The dual specificity of BiTEs facilitates redirected tumor cell killing.
Conclusions:
- BiTEs represent a promising therapeutic modality in cancer immunotherapy.
- The combination of CD3 T cell recognition and tumor antigen targeting is key to BiTE efficacy.
- Clinical data supports the potential of BiTEs in combating established malignancies.
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