Antibody therapy articles from across Nature Portfolio

VISTA is a pH-dependent inhibitory checkpoint for T-cells that is abundant on myeloid lineage cells and antagonists of VISTA may successfully reinvigorate anti-tumour immunity. Here, the authors show that the antibody SNS-101, which is currently being investigated in humans in a clinical trial, is characterized by pH-sensitivity that endows it with favorable pharmacokinetic and safety profiles, and enhanced therapeutic effect when combined with PD-1 checkpoint inhibitors.

The filamentous fungus expression system Thermothelomyces heterothallica (C1) is a protein expression system that may be useful for large scale antibody production. Here the authors characterise the production of a human monoclonal antibody that neutralises SARS-CoV-2 and compare functional properties in vitro and in animal models to antibodies produced using other methods.

Bispecific antibodies (bsAbs) can mediate therapeutic effects beyond those of natural monospecific antibodies. This Review provides an overview of recent developments in the field of bsAbs for cancer therapy and an outlook into next-generation bsAbs in earlier stages of development.

The T cell receptor β-chain is expressed in two isoforms, TRBC1 and TRBC2, with clonally expanded mature T cell lymphomas expressing one of them exclusively, while healthy T cells randomly express either TRBC1 or TRBC2. Here authors show structure-based design of a TRBC2-specific antibody, and depletion of malignant T cells carrying TRBC1 or TRBC2 with CAR-T cells against the cognate receptor chain in murine models.

A monoclonal antibody targeting a peptide that replicates the proinflammatory properties of IL-17 has shown potent activity and an acceptable profile of adverse effects in pre-clinical studies.

This Comment article proposes that the transfer of surface molecules between interacting cells by trogocytosis might affect the cellular specificity of monoclonal antibodies, as well as the functionality of receiving cells.

Clinical utility of T cell engagers (TCEs) in cancer immunotherapy for solid tumors is hampered by on-target off-tumor activity and dose-limiting adverse events. A study now proposes a solution to tackle these challenges through the design and preclinical characterization of extended half-life TCEs that are conditionally activated in the tumor microenvironment.

Three new reports of results from two clinical trials of bimekizumab indicate that it is safe and efficacious for the long-term treatment of patients with ankylosing spondylitis or psoriatic arthritis.