APVO442: A Promising New Bispecific Antibody for Prostate Cancer Treatment
Aptevo Therapeutics recently announced their preclinical bispecific antibody, APVO442, designed for targeted prostate cancer treatment with reduced side effects.
APVO442 is the first molecule developed using Aptevo’s innovative ADAPTIR-FLEX platform, a technology designed to engineer antibodies for challenging cancers. The antibody’s unique design allows it to precisely target tumor cells while activating the immune system in a controlled manner. APVO442 works by binding to two specific antigens:
- Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) found on prostate cancer cells.
- CD3 present on T cells, key players in the body’s immune response.
By binding to both PSMA and CD3, APVO442 brings T cells in close proximity to prostate cancer cells, enhancing targeted tumor cell killing. This approach minimizes the risk of harming healthy cells, leading to a potentially safer and more effective treatment.
Preclinical studies have shown promising results:
- Precise Tumor Targeting: APVO442 effectively localizes to solid tumors and avoids unwanted binding to immune cells circulating in the bloodstream. This focused approach reduces the risk of widespread side effects commonly associated with other cancer treatments.
- Enhanced Immune Response: Engaging CD3 on T cells amplifies the immune response against tumor cells, leading to more effective tumor cell killing.
- Potential for Combination Therapy: APVO442’s mechanism of action makes it a suitable candidate for combination therapy with other cancer treatments, potentially leading to even greater efficacy