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Bispecific Antibodies

In the swiftly evolving field of immuno-oncology, T-cell redirecting bispecific antibodies (TRBAs), a type of antibody that can bind to two different antigens simultaneously, are a newly emerging platform in immunotherapy for cancer.1 To date, only the BiTE®,* (bispecific T-cell engager) molecule blinatumomab has received U.S. FDA approval for a hematological cancer.2 More than 50 bispecific antibodies are currently in clinical trials.3

Like CAR T-cells, TRBAs are engineered to specifically target tumor-associated antigens on the surface of cancer cells. However, currently approved autologous CAR T-cell therapies require taking blood from the cancer patient, processing their white cells, engineering them to attack the patient's specific cancer, and reinfusing the CAR T-cells into the patient where they grow and kill the cancer. By contrast, the bispecific antibody technology that is currently FDA-approved is “off-the-shelf” and requires no ex vivo manipulation. Thus, TRBAs may be viewed as simpler and faster to produce cellular anti-cancer immunotherapy.3,4

At present, TRBAs fall into two main groups: small, short-half-life bispecific antibodies, like the commercially available BiTE® molecule blinatumomab, and half-life extended (HLE) bispecific antibodies. Agents with a shorter half-life require continuous infusion, while HLE agents allow for less frequent infusions given their longer biologic half-life.3

Learn how the Association of Cancer Care Centers is preparing care teams for the use of bispecific antibodies as treatment for cancer and explore how programs and practices can safely integrate therapies, optimize care coordination for patients receiving bispecific antibodies, and manage adverse events associated with treatment.

For more information on this project, please contact the ACCC Provider Education department.

Best Practices in Expanding Access to Bispecific Antibodies and Adverse Event Management

Learn how cancer care teams can optimize care for patients being treated with bispecific antibodies and to explore best practices for early identification and management of adverse events common in patients on bispecific antibodies.

Sharing Operational Insights for the Delivery of Bispecific Antibodies in Solid Tumor

Explore the potential of bispecific antibodies as treatment options for patients with solid tumors and learn how care teams can prepare for the delivery of these treatments in community and rural cancer programs.

Successful Integration of Bispecific Antibodies into Community Oncology Practice

Learn how ACCC is helping cancer care teams prepare for the successful integration of bispecific antibodies, including understanding its place in cancer therapy, critical steps for safe administration and management of adverse events, and ensuring comprehensive supportive care for patients and caregivers.

Publications

Using Bispecific Antibodies in Community Practice: Challenge and Opportunities
Read an overview of bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) and the results of an ACCC survey of multidisciplinary providers which assessed their understanding of—and readiness for—using BsAbs in the treatment of patients with cancer.

Bispecific Antibodies Checklist for Community Providers
Community cancer providers may use this checklist whether their program is referring patients to academic centers or treating patients in-house. Refer to the section of the checklist that is pertinent to your situation.

Abstracts & Presentations

On-Demand Webinars

Cancer Buzz Podcast

[PODCAST] Ep 44: The Promise of Bispecific Antibodies
Nov 24, 2020
Learn about the latest promising breakthroughs in immunotherapy, the challenges facing their widespread use, and what your cancer team needs to know about the future of cancer treatment.

Chaer-Firas-100x100-circleFiras El Chaer, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Department of Hematology and Oncology, University of Virginia, Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center

 
 

References

  1. National Cancer Institute. Bispecific antibodies. Definition of Cancer Terms. Last accessed May 20, 2020.
  2. FDA Approves BLINCYTO™ (Blinatumomab) Immunotherapy for the Treatment of Relapsed or Refractory B-Cell Precursor Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Amgen. December 3, 2014.
  3. Strohl WR, Naso M. Bispecific T-Cell redirection versus chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells as approaches to kill cancer cells. Antibodies (Basel). 2019;8(3):41. Published online 2019 Jul 3.
  4. Helwick C. Bispecific antibodies: successes and challenges. ASCO Post. April 20, 2020. Last accessed May 20, 2020.

* BiTE® is a registered trademark of Amgen, Inc.

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