Emerging applications of nanobodies in cancer therapy
Robin Maximilian Awad1, Fien Meeus1, Hannelore Ceuppens1
1Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
Abstract:
Cancer is a heterogeneous disease, requiring treatment tailored to the unique phenotype of the patient's tumor. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and variants thereof have enabled targeted therapies to selectively target cancer cells. Cancer cell-specific mAbs have been used for image-guided surgery and targeted delivery of radionuclides or toxic agents, improving classical treatment strategies. Cancer cell-specific mAbs can further inhibit tumor cell growth or can stimulate immune-mediated destruction of cancer cells, a feature that has also been achieved through mAb-mediated manipulation of immune cells and pathways. Drawbacks of mAbs and their variants, together with the discovery of camelid heavy chain-only antibodies and the many advantageous features of their variable domains, referred to as VHHs, single domain antibodies or nanobodies (Nbs), resulted in the exploration of Nbs as an alternative targeting moiety. We therefore review the state-of-the-art as well as novel exploitation strategies of Nbs for targeted cancer therapy.
Insights
Nanobodies (Nbs) offer a promising alternative to monoclonal antibodies for targeted cancer therapy. These single domain antibodies provide advantages for developing novel cancer treatments and diagnostic tools.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Cancer is a complex disease requiring personalized treatment strategies based on tumor characteristics.
- Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have advanced targeted cancer therapies, enabling selective targeting of cancer cells for diagnosis and treatment.
- Limitations of traditional mAbs have spurred research into alternative targeting moieties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current applications and novel strategies for using nanobodies (Nbs) in targeted cancer therapy.
- To highlight the advantages of Nbs, derived from camelid heavy chain-only antibodies, as a therapeutic alternative.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on monoclonal antibodies and nanobodies in cancer research.
- Analysis of the structural and functional characteristics of nanobodies (VHHs).
- Exploration of current and emerging strategies for Nb-based cancer targeting.
Main Results:
- Nanobodies (Nbs) possess advantageous features over traditional mAbs for cancer targeting.
- Nbs can be engineered for image-guided surgery, targeted delivery of therapeutic payloads, and immune-mediated tumor destruction.
- The review covers the state-of-the-art and novel exploitation strategies of Nbs.
Conclusions:
- Nanobodies represent a powerful and versatile platform for developing next-generation targeted cancer therapies.
- Further exploration of Nb strategies holds significant potential for improving cancer treatment outcomes.
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