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Augmented antibody-based anticancer therapeutics boost neutrophil cytotoxicity
Niels Heemskerk, Mandy Gruijs, A. Robin Temming, Marieke H. Heineke, Dennis Y. Gout, Tessa Hellingman, Cornelis W. Tuk, Paula J. Winter, Suzanne Lissenberg-Thunnissen, Arthur E.H. Bentlage, Marco de Donatis, Marijn Bögels, Thies Rösner, Thomas Valerius, Jantine E. Bakema, Gestur Vidarsson, Marjolein van Egmond
Niels Heemskerk, Mandy Gruijs, A. Robin Temming, Marieke H. Heineke, Dennis Y. Gout, Tessa Hellingman, Cornelis W. Tuk, Paula J. Winter, Suzanne Lissenberg-Thunnissen, Arthur E.H. Bentlage, Marco de Donatis, Marijn Bögels, Thies Rösner, Thomas Valerius, Jantine E. Bakema, Gestur Vidarsson, Marjolein van Egmond
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Research Article

Augmented antibody-based anticancer therapeutics boost neutrophil cytotoxicity

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Abstract

Most clinically used anticancer mAbs are of the IgG isotype, which can eliminate tumor cells through NK cell–mediated antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and macrophage-mediated antibody-dependent phagocytosis. IgG, however, ineffectively recruits neutrophils as effector cells. IgA mAbs induce migration and activation of neutrophils through the IgA Fc receptor (FcαRI) but are unable to activate NK cells and have poorer half-life. Here, we combined the agonistic activity of IgG mAbs and FcαRI targeting in a therapeutic bispecific antibody format. The resulting TrisomAb molecules recruited NK cells, macrophages, and neutrophils as effector cells for eradication of tumor cells in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, TrisomAb had long in vivo half-life and strongly decreased B16F10gp75 tumor outgrowth in mice. Importantly, neutrophils of colorectal cancer patients effectively eliminated tumor cells in the presence of anti-EGFR TrisomAb but were less efficient in mediating killing in the presence of IgG anti-EGFR mAb (cetuximab). The clinical application of TrisomAb may provide potential alternatives for cancer patients who do not benefit from current IgG mAb therapy.

Authors

Niels Heemskerk, Mandy Gruijs, A. Robin Temming, Marieke H. Heineke, Dennis Y. Gout, Tessa Hellingman, Cornelis W. Tuk, Paula J. Winter, Suzanne Lissenberg-Thunnissen, Arthur E.H. Bentlage, Marco de Donatis, Marijn Bögels, Thies Rösner, Thomas Valerius, Jantine E. Bakema, Gestur Vidarsson, Marjolein van Egmond

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Figure 1

Generation of TrisomAb α-EGFR and TrisomAb α-gp75 by Fab-arm exchange.

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Generation of TrisomAb α-EGFR and TrisomAb α-gp75 by Fab-arm exchange.
(...
(A) Illustration of TrisomAb α-EGFR and TrisomAb α-gp75. TrisomAb is a bispecific human IgG1 antibody format targeting tumor-associated antigens with one arm and FcαRI with the other arm. Lower panel shows in silico model of the CH3-domain α-FcαRI G1m(a)-CH3-domain α-EGFR G1m(f) heterodimer interface. Residues F405 and K409 are highlighted in purple and gold, respectively. Image was generated from PBD ID 3AVE (79). Since the backbone is an IgG1 molecule, it has a long half-life and is capable of inducing FcγR-mediated effector functions in NK cells and macrophages. (B–D) Sandwich ELISA showing successful Fab-arm exchange utilizing the allotypic differences between TrisomAb and its parental forms. Data show mean ± SD of 1 representative example of more than 7 independent experiments B–D.

Copyright © 2026 American Society for Clinical Investigation
ISSN: 0021-9738 (print), 1558-8238 (online)

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