Targeting T-Cell Costimulation to the Surface of Tumor Cells

Clin Cancer Res. 2025 Jan 17;31(2):231-233. doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-24-3003.

Abstract

Bispecific agents targeting tumor-cell surface antigens and activating receptors on T lymphocytes are being developed for solid tumors. Effective and safe strategies depend on target specificity and at least relative tumor-tissue confinement of T-cell activation. Novel evidence suggests that constructs targeting HER2 on tumor cells with the aim of providing costimulation (signal 2) to T lymphocytes via cluster of differentiation 137 (4-1BB) are safe and can meaningfully invigorate antitumor responses in a proportion of patients. See related article by Piha-Paul et al., p. 288.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Bispecific / pharmacology
  • Antibodies, Bispecific / therapeutic use
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / immunology
  • Humans
  • Lymphocyte Activation* / immunology
  • Neoplasms* / immunology
  • Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes* / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bispecific
  • Receptor, ErbB-2
  • Antigens, Neoplasm