Article
Author: Chen, Li ; Zhu, Huaxing ; Ren, Pu ; Tong, Li ; Xu, Qiming ; Xian, Weiwei ; Yang, Yingying ; Li, Debin ; Qian, Wenjing ; Yu, Weiwei ; Pan, Fangfang ; Zhu, Xufeng ; Dai, Ruixue ; Ding, Jianfeng
Aim: A novel CD19xCD3xCD28 trispecific antibody with a tandem single-chain variable fragments (scFv) structure was developed for the treatment of B-cell malignancies. Methods: The trispecific antibody in inducing tumor-directed T-cell activation and cytotoxicity was evaluated in vitro and in vivo and compared with its bispecific counterpart BiTE-CD19xCD3 lacking a CD28-targeting domain. Results: The trispecific antibody with a co-stimulatory domain exhibited augmented T-cell activation and memory T-cell differentiation capability and it induced faster tumor cell lysis than the bispecific antibody. RNAseq analysis revealed that the trispecific antibody modulates CD3/TCR complex-derived signal and upregulates antiapoptotic factors to influence the survival of T cells. Conclusion: By CD3/CD28 co-engagement, the trispecific antibody demonstrated its advantages in T-cell immunity and potential use as a more powerful and long-lasting T-cell engager.