Antibody combination therapies involve the use of two or more antibodies together as a treatment strategy to enhance the therapeutic effect against diseases, such as cancer or infectious diseases. This approach aims to target different epitopes or antigens simultaneously, increasing the efficacy of the treatment by overcoming resistance mechanisms, reducing the likelihood of disease escape, and providing a broader range of action. This method has been particularly valuable in treating conditions where monotherapy (using a single antibody) has limited effectiveness, showcasing the potential for more personalized and effective treatment options.
Combination therapies may also involve an antibody with a different type of drug. Just published today, the results of durvalumab and ceralasertib in a Phase 2 trial showed very promising results for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment. Durvalumab is a human IgG1 kappa monoclonal antibody (mAb) that blocks the interaction of programmed cell death ligand 1 with the PD-1. The immune checkpoint inhibitor drug was already approved by the FDA in 2022. Ceralasertib is an ATR kinase inhibitor which prevents ATR-mediated signaling. Together, these drugs may result into a more effective therapy for advanced/metastatic NSCLC.
Recently, a study showed that a novel triple antibody combination targeting PD-1, 4-1BB (CD137) and VISTA might control skin tumors and lead to circulating antitumor immunity without off-target toxicity. The antibodies all targeted inhibitory and stimulatory checkpoint molecules, with their results suggesting that peritumoral immunotherapy for skin tumors offers advantages over conventional intravenous delivery, allowing antibody dose sparing, improved safety and inducing long-term systemic memory.
Besides mAbs, other engineered antibody formats such as bispecific antibodies (bsAbs) can be used in combination therapies. For example, analysis from a Phase 2 trial for an anti-PD-L1/CTLA-4 bispecific antibody KN046, in combination with nab-paclitaxel, was published this month. Nab-paclitaxel is an injectable formulation of paclitaxel used to treat breast cancer, lung cancer, and pancreatic cancer. As a potential first-line treatment of metastatic triple-negative breast cancer, the combination showed encouraging outcomes.
This report aims to explore the events and trends of the biopharmaceutical industry in Q2 (April, May, June). Besides crovalimab and Vyloy, two more novel antibody drugs have been approved this year
These past few weeks, several antibody drug startups have progressed from the pre-seed stage to final funding rounds. In the pre-seed stage, the focus is on early research, often funded by founders, grants, or angel investors. As the company progresses to the seed stage, it seeks additional funding to validate its scientific concept and develop initial prototypes, attracting early-stage venture capital.
In August, the US FDA approved Galderma’s Nemluvio (nemolizumab) for adult patients living with prurigo nodularis (PN). Nemluvio is the first approved monoclonal antibody specifically inhibiting the signaling of IL-31, a neuroimmune cytokine that drives multiple disease mechanisms in (PN). Prurigo nodularis is a chronic skin condition that affects approximately 181,000 patients in the United States
Anti-drug antibodies (ADAs) are immune system proteins that can develop in response to therapeutic drugs, particularly biologics like monoclonal antibodies. These biopharmaceuticals have significantly advanced therapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases, but their long-term use can elicit immunogenicity due to repeated administration. The host immune system may recognize epitopes in the biologic drug as foreign, triggering the production of ADAs. This can lead to the formation of drug–ADA immune complexes, which accelerate drug clearance and potentially neutralize the drug's efficacy.
