A Novel Costimulatory Ligand for Development of a First-in-Class Trispecific Antibody for Breast Cancer

Novel Therapeutics & Platforms, Immunotherapies & Personalized Vaccines

Travis Young, PhD (Scripps Research)

Eduardo Laborda, PhD (Scripps Research)

Rachel Galimidi, PhD (Scripps Research)

Sean Joseph, PhD (Scripps Research)

Engaging a patient’s immune system to fight cancer – an approach known as immunotherapy – has been transformative for patients whose cancer does not respond to conventional therapies. However, not all patients respond to immunotherapy and in some cases a patient’s immune system can over-react in response to therapy, causing adverse effects. To address this, we have developed a strategy that uses antibodies with three arms to engage T cells, a white blood cell type that has potent anti-tumor activity, with tumor cells, in such a way that leverages a T cells natural ability to kill tumor cells without over-stimulation. This “tri-specific” antibody approach will be first tested in breast cancer.

“The emergence of immunotherapy is a watershed moment in the search for durable treatment options for patients. By educating a patient’s own immune system to eliminate cancer cells, the patient’s immune system maintains an ongoing capability for tumor surveillance long after therapy is completed. I am inspired by the possibility of leveraging this effect to provide patients with tangible hope for a cure. With the support for Curebound, we can make this a reality.” - Travis Young, PhD