Researchers from Uppsala University and KTH Royal Institute of Technology have developed a highly innovative antibody with significant potential to treat multiple cancer types. This antibody incorporates a “3-in-1” functionality, integrating drug delivery, immune activation, and precision targeting in a way that marks a new chapter in personalized immunotherapy.
A team of scientists led by Professor Sara Mangsbo from Uppsala University and Professor Johan Rockberg from KTH Royal Institute of Technology has developed an innovative antibody that brings together three critical elements: targeted delivery, immune stimulation, and direct drug administration.
Known as a “3-in-1” design, this new antibody has shown a remarkable ability to enhance T-cell responses in laboratory and animal trials, which is promising for its future application as a cancer therapy.
“We have been researching precision medicine for nearly 15 years and exploring how we can use antibodies to influence an important key protein (CD40) in the immune system. We can now demonstrate that our new antibody method works as precision medicine for cancer,” explains Professor Sara Mangsbo, a lead author of the study.
This breakthrough antibody takes advantage of neoantigens—specific mutations and gene changes found only in cancer cells—to direct the immune system's focus toward cancerous growths. The antibody delivers tumor-specific material to a particular immune cell type and triggers it to respond actively, which significantly strengthens the T-cell attack on tumors.
Animal studies provided promising results; mice treated with higher doses of the antibody not only had prolonged survival but, in some cases, were completely rid of cancer. Importantly, this innovative approach has shown to be safer than traditional cancer treatments.
A significant advantage of this antibody-based treatment is its flexibility in production. Professor Rockberg notes that this approach combines a bispecific antibody, which is easy to produce on a large scale, with a custom peptide part, tailored to an individual’s specific tumor characteristics.
“The advantage of our drug is that it is easy to produce on a large scale while being easily tailored to the patient’s disease or specific tumor... This approach increases availability and should speed up the process of moving patients from diagnosis to treatment,” explains Professor Johan Rockberg, a lead author of the study.
Reduced time from diagnosis to treatment
Lower cost and faster scalability
Tailoring the treatment for individual cancer mutations
The study aimed to develop a treatment that not only combats cancer more effectively but also adapts rapidly to a patient’s unique cancer profile. Given its success in preclinical models, this antibody could significantly enhance the immune system’s capacity to fight cancer while offering a treatment approach that’s safer and quicker to develop than current methods.
The research team is now focused on optimizing the production of the antibody to prepare for safety trials and future clinical testing in humans. With its unique mechanism and potential scalability, this treatment holds promise for advancing precision medicine in oncology.
This groundbreaking antibody marks a promising advancement in cancer therapy, offering a more effective and tailored approach to treatment. With its unique “3-in-1” design, combining precision targeting, immune activation, and direct drug delivery, this antibody may become a valuable tool in the fight against cancer. The ability to produce this treatment on a large scale and customize it to individual tumors paves the way for more accessible, efficient, and safer cancer care. As researchers at Uppsala University and KTH Royal Institute of Technology prepare for further trials, this antibody holds the potential to redefine how personalized medicine can combat complex diseases like cancer, bringing new hope to patients worldwide.