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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 5

TrisomAb induces neutrophil swarming.

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TrisomAb induces neutrophil swarming.
(A) Time-lapse images of A431 colo...
(A) Time-lapse images of A431 colonies (green) and neutrophils (red) recorded with a Nikon Eclipse Ti confocal microscope showing neutrophil swarming toward A431 cells in the presence of 2 μg/mL TrisomAb, IgA, IgG α-EGFR, or no antibody. Scale bars: 25 μm. (B) Quantification of neutrophil distance to A431 cells (in μm) over time. (C) Quantification of neutrophil contact with A431 cells over time. (D) Quantification of tumor area (in mm2) during neutrophil-mediated cytotoxicity. (E) Time-lapse images of neutrophil (red) trogocytosis during Lifeact-positive A431 cell (green) killing using various therapeutic mAbs. Upper panel shows overview image of neutrophil swarming, trogocytosis, and tumor cell death over time. Bottom panel shows zoom of a single trogocytosis event. Arrow at 6 minutes indicates the start and arrow at 10 minutes indicates the end of the event. Scale bars: 10 μm. (F) Quantification of neutrophil trogocytosis. Data are compiled from 4 independent experiments with more than 10 tumor colonies (5–20 cells) per group in A–D and 6 tumor colonies (5–20 cells) per group in E and F; error bars show SEM. **P < 0.01 by 2-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple-comparison correction in D and E.

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

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