Cross-Priming by CD40xTAA Bispecific Antibodies “Results in Superior Antitumor Response”

Swedish researchers have published what they say is the first in vivo data that support “a role for tumor-associated antigen (TAA)–mediated uptake and cross-presentation of tumor antigens to enhance tumor-specific T-cell priming using CD40×TAA bispecific antibodies.”

The study is the first to demonstrate that “the enhanced cross-priming obtained with CD40×TAA bsAbs translates into antitumor effect in vivo that is superior to CD40 mono-targeting compounds, without inducing signs of systemic immune activation,” write Peter Ellmark of Alligator Biosciences and Lund University and colleagues in a paper appearing in the Journal for Immunotherapy of Cancer in November.

The research team obtained similar results using a CD40xTAA bsAb in a colon cancer model, which they say indicates that their concept, dubbed Neo-X-Prime, “can be applied across a variety of appropriately expressed TAA targets.”

“Bispecific Neo-X-Prime antibodies targeting CD40 and TAA represent a promising novel treatment modality with the potential to meet key needs in immuno-oncology by expanding and activating tumor-specific T cells as well as potentially remodeling the [tumor microenvironment] to facilitate more efficient treatment of patients with cancer,” the authors conclude.

References

Hägerbrand K, Varas L, Deronic A, et al. Bispecific antibodies targeting CD40 and tumor-associated antigens promote cross-priming of T cells resulting in an antitumor response superior to monospecific antibodies. J Immunother Cancer. 2022;10(11):e005018. doi:10.1136/jitc-2022-005018