Ertumaxomab: a trifunctional antibody for breast cancer treatment

Expert Opin Investig Drugs. 2008 Oct;17(10):1553-8. doi: 10.1517/13543784.17.10.1553.

Abstract

Ertumaxomab is an intact bispecific antibody targeting HER2/neu and CD3 with preferential binding to activating Fcgamma type I/III-receptors, resulting in the formation of a tri-cell complex among tumour cell, T cell and accessory cell. Recently, the antibody demonstrated antitumour efficacy against HER2/neu low-expressing tumours resistant to trastuzumab. Data from a completed Phase I study in metastatic breast cancer patients indicates strong immune responses. Owing to efficient tumour cell destruction by humoral and T-cell-dependent mechanisms, differing from conventional HER2/neu directed treatments, and a potential for long-lasting antitumour immunoreactivity, ertumaxomab is at present investigated within Phase II studies enrolling metastatic breast cancer patients even without HER2/neu gene amplification.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Bispecific / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / pharmacology
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • CD3 Complex / immunology
  • Clinical Trials, Phase I as Topic
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bispecific
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • CD3 Complex
  • ERBB2 protein, human
  • Receptor, ErbB-2
  • ertumaxomab