Marco Donia: The end almost no one talks about (the constant region) is actually quite important
Clinical Research Associate Professor at University of Copenhagen, shared on LinkedIn:
“Immunomodulatory antibodies have two ends. The end almost no one talks about (the constant region) is actually quite important.
Reviewed in Nature Reviews Cancer by Felipe Galvez-Cancino et al. from Quezada Lab.
Key highlights:
– The interaction between the constant region (Fc portion) of antibodies and Fcγ receptors influences the therapeutic outcomes of immunomodulatory antibodies in cancer
– Immunoglobulin G (IgG) subclass is critical for antibody activity
Take home: Agonistic (e.g. anti-CD137) and inhibitory (like anti-PD-1) immunomodulating antibodies can have differential effects, depending on their Fc portion
More about Fcγ receptors and Fc portion
– Immunomodulatory antibodies have two ends: one end binds to specific targets (antigens), while the other end interacts with immune cells or molecules to modulate the immune response. (See here)
– Fcγ receptors are a family of receptors expressed by various immune cells, playing a crucial role in the immune response to pathogens and tumors. (See also)
– These receptors interact with the Fc portion of antibodies, leading to various effector functions, such as complement activation, phagocytosis, and cell-mediated cytotoxicity. (See also)
– This review contains a thorough examination of the role of Fcγ receptors and immunomodulatory antibodies in cancer immunity and their potential therapeutic implications within immunotherapy.
COI: I am collaborating with Sergio Quezada.”