Ertumaxomab: a trifunctional antibody for breast cancer treatment.

Abstract

Ertumaxomab is an intact bispecific antibody targeting HER2/neu and CD3 with preferential binding to activating Fcgamma type I/III-receptors, resulting in the formation of a tri-cell complex among tumour cell, T cell and accessory cell. Recently, the antibody demonstrated antitumour efficacy against HER2/neu low-expressing tumours resistant to trastuzumab. Data from a completed Phase I study in metastatic breast cancer patients indicates strong immune responses. Owing to efficient tumour cell destruction by humoral and T-cell-dependent mechanisms, differing from conventional HER2/neu directed treatments, and a potential for long-lasting antitumour immunoreactivity, ertumaxomab is at present investigated within Phase II studies enrolling metastatic breast cancer patients even without HER2/neu gene amplification.

• Authors: Philipp Kiewe, Eckhard Thiel
• Journal: Expert opinion on investigational drugs (Expert Opin Investig Drugs) Vol. 17 Issue 10 Pg. 1553-8 (Oct 2008) ISSN: 1744-7658 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 18808314 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Bispecific
• Antibodies, Monoclonal
• CD3 Complex
• ERBB2 protein, human
• Receptor, ErbB-2
• ertumaxomab

Topics

• Antibodies, Bispecific (therapeutic use)
• Antibodies, Monoclonal (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Breast Neoplasms (drug therapy)
• CD3 Complex (immunology)
• Clinical Trials, Phase I as Topic
• Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
• Female
• Humans
• Receptor, ErbB-2 (immunology)