Bispecific antibodies.

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Biotechnology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Bispecific antibodies (bsAbs) are engineered proteins combining two distinct antibody specificities.
• They can target multiple antigens or epitopes simultaneously, impacting cellular processes like cancer proliferation and inflammation.
• BsAbs can also mediate 'forced-connection' functions, such as protein complex formation or immune cell recruitment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the potential of bispecific antibodies (bsAbs) as a significant advancement in antibody-based therapies.
• To focus on bsAbs currently undergoing clinical development.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of bispecific antibody research and development.
• Analysis of approved bsAbs and those in clinical trials.
• Discussion of the functional capabilities and therapeutic applications of bsAbs.

Main Results:

• The first bispecific antibody (bsAb) was approved in 2009, with a second in 2014.
• Multiple bsAbs are currently in various stages of clinical trials.
• BsAbs demonstrate diverse functionalities, including dual-targeting and cell-cell interaction modulation.

Conclusions:

• Bispecific antibodies (bsAbs) represent a promising frontier in therapeutic antibody development.
• Their versatile mechanisms of action position them as a potential next wave of antibody-based treatments.
• Ongoing clinical development suggests a growing impact of bsAbs in medicine.