Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 28, 2026
In Vivo Immunofluorescence Localization for Assessment of Therapeutic and Diagnostic Antibody Biodistribution in Cancer Research
Published on: September 16, 2019
Vesicular Antibodies: A Bioactive Multifunctional Combination Platform for Targeted Therapeutic Delivery and Cancer
Xue Liu1, Chao Liu2, Zizheng Zheng1
1State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics and National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Disease, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China.
Abstract:
The ability to selectively kill cancerous cell populations while leaving healthy cells unaffected is a key goal in oncology. The use of nanovesicles (NVs) as chemotherapeutic delivery vehicles has been recently proven successful, yet monotherapy with monomodalities remains a significant limitation for solid tumor treatment. Here, as a proof of principle, a novel cell-membrane-derived NVs that can display full-length monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) is engineered. The high affinity and specificity of mAb for tumor-specific antigens allow these vesicular antibodies (VAs) to selectively deliver a cytotoxic agent to tumor cells and exert potent inhibition effects. These VAs can also regulate the tumor immune microenvironment. They can mediate antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity to eradicate tumor cells via recruitment and activation of natural killer cells in the tumor. Upon further encapsulation with chemotherapeutic agents, the VAs show unequaled cooperative effects in chemotherapy and immunotherapy in tumor-bearing mice. As far as it is known, this is the first report of a VA-based multifunctional combination therapy platform. This might lead to additional applications of vesicular antibodies in cancer theranostics.
Insights
Researchers developed novel vesicular antibodies (VAs) for cancer therapy. These VAs deliver drugs, activate immune cells, and combine chemotherapy and immunotherapy for potent anti-tumor effects.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Nanotechnology
- Immunotherapy
Background:
- Selective cancer cell killing is crucial in oncology.
- Nanovesicles (NVs) show promise for chemotherapy delivery.
- Current monotherapies are limited for solid tumors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer novel cell-membrane-derived nanovesicles displaying full-length monoclonal antibodies (mAbs).
- To investigate the potential of these vesicular antibodies (VAs) as a multifunctional cancer therapy platform.
Main Methods:
- Engineered cell-membrane-derived NVs to display full-length mAbs.
- Utilized mAb specificity for tumor antigens to target cytotoxic agents.
- Investigated VAs' ability to mediate antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC).
- Encapsulated VAs with chemotherapeutic agents for combination therapy.
Main Results:
- VAs selectively delivered cytotoxic agents to tumor cells.
- VAs demonstrated potent tumor inhibition effects.
- VAs modulated the tumor immune microenvironment by recruiting and activating natural killer cells.
- Combined chemotherapy and immunotherapy with VAs showed synergistic effects in tumor-bearing mice.
Conclusions:
- Vesicular antibodies represent a novel platform for multifunctional cancer theranostics.
- This VA-based approach offers a promising strategy for combined chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
- The study presents the first report of a VA-based multifunctional combination therapy platform.
Related Concept Videos
01:45Vesicular Tubular Clusters
With the help of motor proteins such...
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
01:27Tumor Immunotherapy
01:18Vesicular Trasport: Endocytosis, Transcytosis and Exocytosis
Endocytosis is a cellular mechanism that involves the inward folding of the cell membrane to create vesicles that capture and transport large drug molecules. This process comprises two distinct methods: pinocytosis (often referred to as "cell drinking") and phagocytosis (often referred to as "cell...
01:10Antibody Structure
Antibodies, also known as immunoglobulins (Ig), are essential players of the adaptive immune system. These antigen-binding proteins are produced by B cells and make up 20 percent of the total blood plasma by weight. In mammals, antibodies fall into five different classes, which each elicits a different biological response upon antigen binding.
The Y-Shaped Structure of Antibodies Consists of Four Polypeptide Chains
Antibodies consist of four polypeptide chains: two identical heavy...
01:13Therapeutic Index