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Poster: Evaluation of Bispecific Antibody Efficacy and Drug-Induced Cytokine Release

Bispecific antibodies have been shown to have several distinct advantages over monoclonal antibodies. However, testing their effectiveness and safety in vivo has proven to be a specific challenge for this promising therapeutic class. The researchers at JAX have developed a human stem cell (HSC) humanized mouse model for testing both efficacy and quantifying cytokine release in response to bispecific antibody treatment.  

 

In a recent poster, Yao and colleagues from JAX presented their work, which evaluated an EGFR bispecific T cell engager (BiTE), using an EGFR-positive MDA-MD-231 orthotopic breast cancer model in CD34+ HSC NSG™ mouse model.  

 

In terms of efficacy, the authors observed that there was complete tumor regression in 2 weeks post BiTE treatment. Furthermore, at four weeks post-treatment, tumors at approximately 400 mm3 were inhibited. To assess immunotoxicity, 16 hours following the first two doses of BiTE treatment, the authors observed elevated levels of human cytokines IFN-g, IL-6, and IL-10. However, following continuous dosing, these levels returned to baseline.