Therapeutic antibodies are modified proteins designed to bind to specific antigens on cancer cells to facilitate targeted therapy. Alfa Cytology specializes in developing therapeutic antibodies, aimed to innovate and improve antibody-based therapies for pancreatic cancer to increase treatment efficacy while minimizing side effects.
Overview of Therapeutic Antibody Development
Therapeutic antibodies are characterized by their high specificity, affinity, and ability to recruit the immune system to effectively target cancer cells. The advantages of therapeutic antibodies over conventional therapies include reduced off-target effects, improved targeting of tumor cells, and the potential to overcome resistance to conventional therapies. Research priorities in this area include the discovery of new antigens specific to cancer cells, antibody engineering, and preclinical trials. The goals are to enhance antibody delivery to the tumor site, optimize antibody-drug couplings, and develop bispecific antibodies that can target multiple antigens simultaneously.
Fig. 1 Discovery of novel cell surface proteins with antibodies. (Sorbara M, et al, 2022)
Receptors of Therapeutic Antibody for PC Therapy
The development of therapeutic antibodies for pancreatic cancer involves targeting specific antigen receptors expressed on cancer cells. These receptors include the following three categories.
- Surfaceome of Pancreatic Tumours: Examples (targets) include EGFR, Mesothelin, Mucins, Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), etc.
- Immune Checkpoints: Examples (targets) include PD-1/PD-L1, CTLA-4/CD80, etc.
- Intracellular Proteins: Examples (targets) include KRAS, AKT, ERK, etc.
Our Services
Alfa Cytology's one-stop therapeutic antibody development solutions encompass a comprehensive suite of services, from target identification and antibody generation to preclinical validation and optimization. This integrated approach ensures a streamlined process, accelerating the development of effective therapeutic antibodies for pancreatic cancer.
New Target and Biomarker Discovery Service
Using state-of-the-art technologies and methodologies, we are committed to uncovering new targets and biomarkers specific to pancreatic cancer. The methods used include:
- Proteomics: Identifying and quantifying proteins expressed in pancreatic cancer cells to discover new targets.
- Genomics: Sequencing cancer cell genomes to identify mutations and alterations that can serve as therapeutic targets.
- Transcriptomics: Analyzing RNA expression profiles to uncover novel biomarkers and targetable pathways.
- Bioinformatics: Utilizing computational tools to integrate and analyze large datasets, facilitating the discovery of potential targets and biomarkers.
Therapeutic Antibodies Development for Different Types
Targeting specific mechanisms involved in the development of pancreatic cancer, Alfa Cytology can help design various types of antibodies, including:
Single-type antibodies that bind to one specific antigen, providing high specificity and targeted action against cancer cells.
A mixture of antibodies that recognize multiple epitopes on a single antigen, enhancing overall binding and efficacy.
Engineered to simultaneously target two different antigens or epitopes, improving therapeutic potential and reducing resistance.
Small, stable antibodies derived from heavy chain-only antibodies, offering unique advantages in tumor penetration and binding.
Include Fab, scFv, and nanoantibodies that are smaller and more stable, allowing for better tissue penetration and reduced immunogenicity.
Antibodies linked to cytotoxic drugs, enable precise delivery of the drug to cancer cells while sparing healthy tissues.
Workflow of Therapeutic Antibody Development for PC
Antigen Preparation
Designing and producing the antigen that the antibody will target, including purification and characterization.
Antibody Screening
Screening generated antibodies for specificity, affinity, and functional activity, followed by selecting the most promising candidates.
Antibody Purification
Purifying antibodies to achieve high purity and concentration, suitable for preclinical testing.
Antibody Generation
Using techniques such as hybridoma technology or phage display to generate antibodies against the prepared antigen.
Antibody Optimization
Engineering selected antibodies to enhance their binding affinity, stability, and therapeutic efficacy.
Characterization and Validation
Characterizing the purified antibodies in terms of structure, function, and binding properties, followed by validation in preclinical models.
Therapeutic antibodies offer a promising avenue for improving patient outcomes and overcoming the limitations of conventional therapies, and Alfa Cytology is committed to advancing pancreatic cancer treatment through innovative antibody development. We welcome researchers to explore our one-stop solution for therapeutic antibody development or contact us today for collaboration and consultation.
Reference
- Sorbara M, Cordelier P, et al. Antibody-Based Approaches to Target Pancreatic Tumours. Antibodies (Basel). 2022, 11(3):47.
