Double hit — bispecific antibodies in cancer therapy

Abstract

Immunotherapy has emerged as a promising strategy for cancer treatment, with bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) demonstrating significant therapeutic potential. BsAbs are biological molecules capable of simultaneously binding to two distinct antigens, allowing the immune response to target cancer cells precisely. However, despite promising results in preclinical studies and early clinical trials, immunotherapy based on these antibodies faces several significant issues that require careful consideration. One of them is the development of therapy resistance, which often leads to a loss of treatment effectiveness. Another challenge is the associated toxicity of immunotherapy. While BsAbs are designed to limit adverse effects, there remains a risk of side effects that can impact the quality of life for patients. Furthermore, it should be noted that the production of BsAbs is burdened with significant costs and involves complex processes, negatively affecting the accessibility of this therapy for the majority of patients. Hence, continuous efforts are necessary to develop more efficient and cost-effective methods for producing these antibodies to enable a broader range of patients to benefit from this innovative therapy.