Therapeutic Antibodies Need To Interact With Fc Receptors

When Rituxan, the first monoclonal antibody for the treatment of cancer was developed, it became clear that its mechanism of action involved the Fc receptor. We noticed that the likelihood of tumors to respond was greatly influenced by which of the two different forms of the Fc receptor gene (CD16) the patient had. One form was known to bind better to the Fc portion of the therapeutic antibody and patients who had this form had a higher tumor remission rate. This result was concordant with the now classical report by Clynes and Ravetch on the role of the Fc receptor (CD16) in the therapy of Rituxan against human tumors transplanted into mice.
Source: Clinical Lymphoma, Myeloma and Leukemia - Category: Hematology Authors: Source Type: research