Bispecific Antibodies

Definition

Bispecific antibodies are antibodies possessing antigen-binding sites with specificity for two different structures (dual specificity).

Characteristics

Bispecific antibodies are molecules able to simultaneously bind to two different epitopes on the same or different antigens. Bispecific antibodies act as mediators or adaptors bringing two different structures into close contact. In cancer therapy, possible applications include the retargeting of effector molecules (e.g., radionuclides, drugs, enzymes, cytokines), effector cells (e.g., cytotoxic T lymphocytes, natural killer cells), or carrier systems (e.g., drug-loaded liposomes, genetic vehicles) to tumor-associated target sites, such as tumor cells, tumor stroma cells, and extracellular components as well as cells and structures associated with the tumor vasculature. Thus, potential applications of bispecific antibodies cover the areas of immunotherapy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy (radioimmunotherapy), and gene therapy....