Nucleic acid-encoded antibody gene transfer-next generation of antibody therapies

Antibody therapeutics have emerged as a cornerstone in modern biopharmaceutical development, revolutionizing treatments across diverse diseases. Recent breakthroughs in antibody discovery technologies, particularly single B-cell sorting and high-throughput sequencing, have significantly enhanced the ability to identify and isolate potent therapeutic antibodies. Despite these advances, widespread adoption of monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapies faces substantial challenges, including complex manufacturing processes, high production costs, and stringent cold-chain storage requirements. A promising solution to these limitations is nucleic acid-encoded antibody delivery, which enables in vivo production of functional antibodies. This technology delivers nucleotide sequences encoding mAbs instead of the antibody proteins themselves, effectively turning the body into a bioreactor for antibody production. By bypassing the complex purification and quality control processes associated with traditional recombinant protein production, this approach offers a more streamlined and potentially cost-effective alternative. Herein, we review current nucleic acid-based antibody delivery platforms, highlighting the unique advantages and technical challenges. We provide an in-depth analysis of the latest advancements in this field, including both viral and non-viral delivery methods, and discuss their implications for next-generation antibody therapeutics. We also examine the potential applications in infectious diseases and cancer immunotherapy, alongside regulatory and safety considerations for clinical translation. We aim to provide valuable insights and guidance for researchers and clinicians in advancing novel antibody-based therapies.