Bispecific T-cell engagers (BiTE)
Bispecific T cell engagers are a new class of immunotherapeutic molecules intended for the treatment of cancer. These molecules, termed BiTEs, enhance the patient’s immune response to tumors by retargeting T cells to tumor cells.
Bispecific T-cell engagers (BiTEs) are a type of bispecific antibodies. They differ from the latter in their structure by lacking the Fc domain (Figure 1) and having the two different target-binding single-chain variable fragments connected by a linker.
Bi-specific T-cell engager (BiTE) is a class of artificial bispecific monoclonal antibodies that are investigated for use as anti-cancer drugs. They direct a host’s immune system, more specifically the T cells’ cytotoxic activity, against cancer cells.
T-cell-engaging bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) simultaneously bind to antigens on tumour cells and CD3 subunits on T cells. This simultaneous binding results in the recruitment of T cells to the tumour, followed by T-cell activation and degranulation, and tumour cell elimination.
T-cell engagers (TCEs) are BsAbs, which simultaneously target tumor-associated antigens on tumor cells and CD3 molecules present on T-cells. This mechanism allows for the direct activation of T-cells and their anti-tumor features, ultimately resulting in the lysis of tumor cells.
Mechanism of action (MoA) of bispecific antibodies (bsAbs). MoA 1—CD3 T cell engagers. These bsAbs bind to CD3 expressed by the T cell and a specific antigen expressed by the tumor cell, resulting in the formation of an immune synapse. This stimulates the T cell and “re‐directs” cytotoxicity against the tumor cell.
List of Bispecific T-cell engagers (BiTE)
