Among the arsenal of therapeutic strategies, antibodies have emerged as potent tools in the war against cancer due to their exceptional specificity and adaptability. Antibodies are protective glycoproteins that are synthesized by the immune system in response to foreign substances known as antigens. Their unique ability to selectively recognize and bind to tumor-associated antigens has positioned them as a cornerstone in targeted cancer therapy.
The mechanism by which antibodies act against cancer cells can be either direct—by inducing apoptosis or inhibiting cellular proliferation—or indirect, by recruiting immune effector functions such as antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) or complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC). Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), the most commonly used therapeutic format, have shown considerable success in treating cancers such as breast cancer (e.g., trastuzumab) and lymphomas (e.g., rituximab). Based on their structure and action, antibody therapies can be classified into naked antibodies, conjugated antibodies (linked to toxins or radionuclides), immune checkpoint inhibitors, and engineered formats such as bispecific and trispecific antibodies, which can bind to two or more targets simultaneously, thereby enhancing therapeutic outcomes.
Personalized antibody therapy has gained momentum, guided by tumor profiling and molecular diagnostics. This approach enables the selection of antibody treatments based on the unique genetic and proteomic signature of an individual’s tumor, ensuring improved efficacy and minimized toxicity. Moreover, combining antibodies with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or other immunotherapies (like CAR-T cells or checkpoint inhibitors) offers synergistic effects and overcomes tumor resistance.