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Cancer

Breakthrough in Cancer Therapy: B7-H3 Targeting Antibodies Show Promise

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Researchers from Sichuan University have made a significant discovery in the field of cancer therapy, identifying a new strategy to target B7-H3, an immune-checkpoint molecule overexpressed in several cancer types. The study, published in International Immunopharmacology, found that natural killer (NK) cells, another important part of the cellular immune system, exhibit anti-tumor properties and play complementary roles in tumor eradication with T cells. The team engineered a bispecific antibody that targets both B7-H3 and NKG2D, an activating receptor in most cytotoxic immune cells, and demonstrated its potential in enhancing anti-tumor immunity by orchestrating cytotoxic lymphocytes.

Key Takeaways:

  • B7-H3, an immune-checkpoint molecule, is overexpressed in several cancer types and has been identified as a promising immunotherapy target.
  • Natural killer (NK) cells exhibit anti-tumor properties and play complementary roles in tumor eradication with T cells.
  • Researchers engineered a bispecific antibody that targets both B7-H3 and NKG2D, an activating receptor in most cytotoxic immune cells.
  • The antibody showed potential in enhancing anti-tumor immunity by orchestrating cytotoxic lymphocytes.
  • The study concluded that the B7-H3 x NKG2D antibody strategy improves anti-B7-H3 immunotherapy approaches by orchestrating cytotoxic lymphocytes.
  • Financial supporters for this research include Weigao Research Fund, National Natural Science Foundation of China, The 1.3.5 projects for disciplines of excellence, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, National Key Research & Development Program of China, Frontiers Medical Center, Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory Foundation, Major scientific and technological achievements transformation project, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Postdoctoral Fellowship Program of CPSF, and Postdoctor Research Fund of West China Hospital.

Statistics:

  • The study found that the B7-H3 x NKG2D bispecific antibody enhances tumor lysis mediated by antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) in vitro and in vivo.
  • The additional administration of a B7-H3 x CD3 bispecific T cell engager that targets B7-H3 with another epitope showed significant synergistic effects in enhancing anti-tumor immunity.
  • The antibody was engineered with an optimized Fc fragment to enhance anti-tumor immunity by ADCC, with stronger tumor lysis demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo.
  • The study was peer-reviewed and published in International Immunopharmacology, a journal from Elsevier.
  • The authors include Aiping Tong, Chen Yang, Ping Wang, Mingjun Yang, Qizhong Lu, Zhixiong Zhu, Huaqing Lu, Hexian Li, Zongliang Zhang, Jia Li, Meng Li, Lizhou Zhao, Xuemei Fu, and Bo Ling from Sichuan University and other institutions.

Sources:

  • A Fc-engineered Nkg2d X B7-h3 Bispecific Antibody Enhances the Antitumor Activity By Orchestrating Cytotoxic Lymphocytes. International Immunopharmacology, 2025;161.
  • NewsRx. Recent Findings from Sichuan University Has Provided New Information about Cancer Therapy (A Fc-engineered Nkg2d X B7-h3 Bispecific Antibody Enhances the Antitumor Activity By Orchestrating Cytotoxic Lymphocytes). Immunotherapy Weekly. September 3, 2025; p 4112.

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