Antibody and Antibody-Drug Conjugate Therapeutics in Cancer

While immunotherapy has been dominated by studies of T cells, antibodies (the product of B cells) have been proven agents against cancer for decades and are the mainstay of treatment for several different types of cancer. More recently, Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs) have emerged as powerful strategies in cancer treatment, leveraging the specificity of antibodies to target cancer cells while minimizing damage to healthy tissues. Treatments using monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are still the standard-of-care for many cancers, which bind to specific antigens on cancer cells and trigger immune-mediated destruction of cancer cells. Additionally, ADCs combine the targeting ability of antibodies with the cytotoxic potency of chemotherapeutic drugs. In ADCs, a cytotoxic drug is conjugated to the antibody, allowing for selective delivery of the drug to cancer cells expressing the target antigen. While these therapies are emerging as the new frontline of cancer treatment, it remains surprisingly unknown how they clinically function and are regulated. It also remains unclear why some fail and what role antibodies play in the tumor immune microenvironment.

Our lab is interested in understanding the role of B cells and different types of antibodies in the tumor microenvironment and in dissecting the mechanisms of action for the agents. Furthermore, we are invested in identifying novel antibodies that could be used in cancer treatment, as well as exploring strategies that might enhance the clinical efficacy of anti-tumor antibodies and ADCs.