Release Date: 16-Jul-2024
With AFM24, a pioneering tetravalent bispecific IgG1-scFv fusion antibody, Affimed has introduced a game-changing candidate in cancer treatment, representing a cutting-edge innovation in cancer immunotherapy. This novel antibody is engineered to bind selectively to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) on target cells and CD16A on natural killer (NK) cells, resulting in a precise and focused response against EGFR-positive tumor cells.
The cell surface receptor EGFR is widely overexpressed in many malignancies, making it an appealing therapeutic target. Simultaneously, CD16A is an important component of NK cells, involved in both in activation and in antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity of NK cells. The use of EGFR and CD16A in AFM24 capitalizes on the selectivity of EGFR targeting while also utilizing the potential cytotoxic capabilities of NK cells, resulting in a dual-action approach for targeted cell death. NK cells release cytotoxic chemicals that cause targeted cell death in EGFR-positive tumor cells in this unique lysis mechanism. Furthermore, AFM24’s tetravalent nature, obtained using Affimed’s ROCK platform, increases its avidity and provides robust and sustained binding to both EGFR and CD16A.
Affimed is testing AFM24 as a monotherapy and in patients with advanced EGFR-expressing solid tumors who have progressed after prior anticancer treatment. In addition, investigations with Atezolizumab, as well as SNK01, an experimental NK cell treatment developed by NKGen Biotech, are being conducted in patients with advanced/metastatic cancers expressing EGFR. Early pharmacokinetic findings for the latter have been consistent with that of AFM24 monotherapy, with no additional safety signals, indicating that the combination of AFM24 with SNK01 cells well tolerated and justifies further study.
Resistance to conventional EGFR targeting therapies and the poor action of checkpoint inhibitors limit therapy choices for individuals with advanced solid malignancies and EGFR mutations. As a result, AFM24 has the potential to significantly alter the landscape of cancer treatment by stimulating the innate immune pathway, resulting in anti-tumor activity and therefore offering a novel therapeutic approach. AFM24 is at the forefront of providing patients with another treatment option, with its combination clinical studies already showing therapeutic promise.
Beyond its current evaluation in head and neck cancer, non-small-cell lung cancer, and colorectal cancer, AFM24’s adaptability suggests possible expansion into other cancer types characterized by EGFR overexpression such as ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, pancreatic cancer and prostate cancer. The versatility of this novel antibody could open up new avenues for tailored and targeted therapeutics, adding to the ongoing evolution of precision medicine in oncology.
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