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Engineered Antibody From King’s College London Shows Preclinical Promise Against Hard-to-Treat Breast Cancers

Researchers report preclinical evidence that the design boosts immune-cell engagement to curb tumor growth.

Overview

  • In Cancer Research, the Breast Cancer Now Research Unit at King’s College London details a first-of-its-kind triple-engineered antibody tested in laboratory and animal models.
  • The modified antibodies strengthened binding to immune receptor CD16a and activated immune cells within tumors as well as those circulating in the bloodstream.
  • Across models of triple-negative and treatment-resistant disease, the approach limited tumor growth, increased immune infiltration, and prolonged survival compared with standard antibodies.
  • The team is optimizing candidates to extend antibody lifespan in the body and to engage a broader range of immune cell types before moving toward first-in-human trials.
  • Triple-negative breast cancer accounts for about 15% of cases with over 8,000 UK diagnoses each year, and one antibody target is also found in ovarian and endometrial cancers.