On January 15, 2020 Crescendo Biologics Ltd (Crescendo), the drug developer of novel, targeted, T cell enhancing therapeutics, reported the publication of a paper that demonstrates greater tissue penetration and in vivo efficacy of Humabody VH therapeutics compared to conventional antibody formats, in the scientific journal Cancer Research a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) (Press release, Crescendo Biologics, JAN 15, 2020, View Source [SID1234553230]).
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The full paper by Nessler et al can be accessed online HERE.
The study run by Dr Greg M. Thurber at the University of Michigan demonstrates that the level of tissue penetration by Humabodies plays a major role in therapeutic efficacy and illustrates the benefits of using an albumin-binding domain to extend serum circulation time.
Humabodies are small, in vivo matured human VH domain building blocks that can be easily assembled into multifunctional molecules. They can be configured for optimal target engagement in ways which can be challenging for regular antibody formats. Dr Thurber’s results confirm that the smaller size and specifically tailored binding configuration achievable with Humabody molecules can result in improved penetration into the tumour microenvironment and a greater cancer-killing effect using a preclinical in vivo model of prostate cancer.
Dr Greg M. Thurber, an associate professor of chemical engineering and biomedical engineering at the University of Michigan, said:
"The tissue and cellular distribution of biologics is an important but understudied area in drug development. In collaboration with Crescendo, we demonstrated that the distribution of these drugs within the tumor was as significant as the total tumor dose in determining response. Importantly, this work shows how antibody engineering strategies can be used to design therapeutics with improved distribution to maximize efficacy."
Dr James Legg, SVP R&D at Crescendo Biologics, noted that:
"We’re delighted to be working with Greg Thurber’s team at the University of Michigan; they have developed a deep mechanistic understanding and expertise in the in vivo distribution of therapeutic agents. We look forward to continuing our collaboration."