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Abstract
Bispecific antibodies are in clinical and preclinical development for the treatment of various cancers and life-threatening infectious diseases. Designed to direct and enhance the body’s immune response to specific tumours and pathogens, bispecific antibodies have shown promising results in Phase I and Phase II clinical trials, leading in some cases to complete or partial responses in cancer patients. These bispecific antibodies consist of a ‘targeting’ domain, typically a fragment of a monoclonal antibody that binds to a tumour, linked to a ‘triggering’ arm that is specific for a molecule capable of mediating a phagocytic or lytic response by macrophages, natural killer cells, T-cells or other effector cells. By mediating an immune assault on tumours or pathogens, bispecific antibodies may also lead to antigen presentation and a vaccine-like response in patients. Over the next few years, we expect several bispecific antibodies to enter the late stages of clinical trials and ultimately emerge as new pharmaceutical products.