Bispecific monoclonal antibody

Three types of bispecific antibodies: trifunctional antibody, chemically linked Fab and bi-specific T-cell engager (bottom row). Blue and yellow parts distinguish parts from separate monoclonal antibodies.

There are many formats of bsMab, but the two main categories are IgG-like and non-IgG-like.[1] The main types of manufacturing methods are quadromas, chemical conjugation, and genetic recombination, and each method results in a unique format.[1][2]

IgG-like

This format retains the traditional monoclonal antibody (mAb) structure of two Fab arms and one Fc region, except the two Fab sites bind different antigens. The most common types are called trifunctional antibodies, as they have three unique binding sites on the antibody: the two Fab regions, and the Fc region. Each heavy and light chain pair is from a unique mAb. The Fc region made from the two heavy chains forms the third binding site. These bsMabs are often manufactured with the quadroma, or the hybrid hybridoma, method.[3][4][5]

The "knobs into holes" approach for manufacturing IgG-like bsMabs is shown on the left, while a diagram depicting the DVD-Ig format is on the right. The red dot indicates a possible site for introducing mutations in the heavy chain. Blue and yellow correspond to separate monoclonal antibodies.

However, the quadroma method relies on random chance to form usable bsMabs, and can be inefficient. Another method for manufacturing IgG-like bsMabs is called "knobs into holes," and relies on introducing a mutation for a large amino acid in the heavy chain from one mAb, and a mutation for a small amino acid in the other mAb's heavy chain. This allows the target heavy chains (and their corresponding light chains) to fit together better, and makes bsMab production more reliable.[1][2]

The mechanism of action of a bsMab, exemplified by catumaxomab, representing the first approved bispecific trifunctional antibody.

The binding of a bsMab to its target antigens can lead to a variety of effects. The most widely used application of this approach is in cancer immunotherapy, where bsMabs are engineered to simultaneously bind a cytotoxic cell and a target like a tumour cell to be destroyed. It is possible to observe the bridging effect that bsAbs have on T-cell/cancer cell interactions using label-free live cell imaging. Catumaxomab, one of the first trifunctional antibodies approved for therapeutic use, binds both CD3 on cytotoxic T cells and EpCAM on human adenocarcinomas.[3][4] The Fc region additionally binds to a cell that expresses Fc receptors, like a macrophage, natural killer cell or dendritic cell. Since the Fc region is still intact, this allows for the bsMab to trigger common immune responses when recognized by an Fc receptor, such as antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity or complement-dependent cytotoxicity.[5][7]

Example of cancer cells being killed cytotoxic T-Cells. Imaged with a label-free live cell imaging microscope.

In work with Ebolavirus vaccines, a study has shown that a DVD-Ig antibody can be used to prevent viral escape from the endosome. Ebolaviruses infect cells by receptor-mediated endocytosis. Researchers developed DVD-Igs where the outer variable regions bind to the surface glycoproteins of the viral coat and enter the cell with the virus. These outer regions are cleaved in the viral endosome, revealing the inner variable regions that then bind to both the virus and internal receptors in the endosome. Blocking the interaction between the virus and endosomal proteins prevents viral escape from the endosome and further infection.[9]

Cancer immunotherapy with ordinary monoclonal antibodies does not activate T-lymphocytes because the Fab regions are already used for binding the tumour cells, and this type of cell does not have Fc receptors.[10] Bispecific antibodies also have a higher cytotoxic potential, and bind to antigens that are expressed relatively weakly.[11] The effective dose is around 0.01 mg·m⁻²·d⁻¹ (milligrams per square metre body surface area per day), which is several orders of magnitude lower than with ordinary antibodies.[10] For non-IgG-like bsMabs, their smaller size allows them to reach antigens usually unavailable to conventional antibodies.[1] In the case of Ebola vaccines, this method allows the antibody to target intracellular targets not usually accessible by traditional monoclonal antibody treatments.[9]

Additionally, targeting more than one molecule can be useful to circumvent the regulation of parallel pathways and avoid resistance to the treatment. Binding or blocking multiple targets in a pathway can be beneficial to stopping disease, as most conditions have complicated multifaceted effects throughout the body.[12] Together with combination therapies, bsMab are being used more and more to treat certain types of cancers, as, over time, some tumors develop resistances to checkpoint inhibitors and/or co-stimulatory molecules.[13]

IgG-like antibodies can be immunogenic, which means the Fc region could cause detrimental downstream immune responses caused by cells that are activated by Fc receptors.[1] The therapeutic use of bsMabs as a whole is still largely in development, with many clinical trials currently ongoing that are determining the efficacy and safety of bsMabs for treatment.[6]

Two bispecific antibodies are presently in clinical use. Blinatumomab, which targets CD19 and CD3, is used in the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome negative B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Emicizumab, which targets clotting factors IXa and X, is used in the treatment of hemophilia A.[14] Catumaxomab was withdrawn from the European market in 2017 for commercial reasons.[15]

 This article incorporates public domain material from the U.S. National Cancer Institute document: "Dictionary of Cancer Terms".

• Bispecific monoclonal antibody entry in the public domain NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms
• Bispecific+antibodies at the US National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)