Researchers may have discovered a promising candidate for the next generation of immunotherapy drugs in the form of bispecific antibodies targeting two key proteins in cancer – PD1 or PD-L1 and VEGF. A recent small early trial presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium by researchers working with BioNTech showcased positive results in patients with triple negative breast cancer using a bispecific compound called BNT-327. This compound, if further trials prove successful, could become a crucial part of treating not only triple negative breast cancer but potentially other types of cancer as well.
The development of bispecific antibodies targeting PD1 or PD-L1 and VEGF builds upon the groundbreaking discovery of checkpoint inhibitors in the 1990s. These inhibitors, such as Merck’s Keytruda, have revolutionized cancer treatment by stimulating the immune system to recognize and eliminate cancer cells. However, there is still room for improvement in this area. BioNTech co-founder and CMO Özlem Türeci believes that PD-L1 or PD1 and anti-VEGF bispecifics represent the next generation of checkpoint inhibitors that could further enhance cancer treatment.
The potential of bispecific antibodies targeting these proteins gained attention when Summit Therapeutics released data showing that their PD1 and VEGF bispecific antibody outperformed Keytruda in a Phase 3 trial for advanced lung cancer. While experts noted the impressive results, they also cautioned that further research is needed to determine if the drug can extend overall survival, a critical measure in oncology research.
This article highlights the significant progress being made in the field of immunotherapy and the potential impact of bispecific antibodies targeting PD1 or PD-L1 and VEGF. As researchers continue to explore and develop new treatments, the future of cancer therapy looks promising.
