Cancer

Mouse studies identified a bispecific mAb against EGFR and 4-1BB that could help treat colorectal cancer. The bispecific, trimeric mAb consisted of an anti-human EGFR single-domain antibody linked to the C-terminus of the single-chain variable fragment (scFv) derived from a rat anti-4-1BB mAb. In a human EGFR-expressing mouse model of colorectal cancer, the anti-EGFR/4-1BBB mAb decreased tumor size and increased survival with potency comparable to an anti-4-1BB tool mAb, but without causing the splenomegaly, hepatomegaly or histological changes observed for the anti-4-1BB mAb. Next steps include clinical testing of a humanized version of the anti-EGFR/4-1BB mAb.

Eli Lilly and Co. and Merck KGaA market the anti-EGFR mAb Erbitux cetuximab for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) and head and neck cancer and have the mAb in Phase I/II through Phase III testing for other cancers...