CD70 Targeting Antibodies Clinical Trials Has Witness Increase In Recent Years Driven By Breakthrough & Fast Track Designation By USA FDA
CD70, a cell surface protein belonging to the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily, has garnered significant attention as a promising therapeutic target for cancer treatment. Its aberrant expression in various malignancies, coupled with its role in promoting tumor growth, survival, and immune evasion, makes CD70 an attractive target for novel anticancer therapies. The emergence of CD70-targeted antibodies represents a significant advancement in cancer treatment, offering new avenues for precision medicine and targeted therapy.
In cancer, CD70 is often upregulated on tumor cells, where it contributes to tumor progression and immune evasion by engaging its receptor, CD27, on immune cells. This interaction leads to the suppression of antitumor immune responses and the promotion of tumor cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. Additionally, CD70 expression has been associated with poor prognosis and resistance to conventional therapies in various cancer types, highlighting its significance as a therapeutic target. According to Neeraj Chawla, Research Head (Kuick Research), there are more than 20 CD70 targeting antibodies in clinical trials and most of them are being studies for cancer treatment.
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Antibodies are well suited for targeting CD70 due to their specificity, affinity, and ability to engage immune effector functions. CD70-targeted antibodies can bind to CD70-expressing tumor cells, leading to antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP), and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), ultimately resulting in tumor cell death. Moreover, CD70-targeted antibodies can also block the interaction between CD70 and CD27, thereby restoring antitumor immune responses and enhancing the efficacy of immunotherapy.
While the clinical landscape of cancer therapy is currently dominated by cell-based therapies, such as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, the emergence of CD70-targeted antibodies represents a promising addition to the armamentarium of cancer therapeutics. Antibody-based approaches, including monoclonal antibodies and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), offer several advantages, including off-the-shelf availability, ease of administration, and potential for combination with other therapies.
Currently, several CD70-targeted antibodies are in preclinical and early clinical development for the treatment of various cancer types. These antibodies are being evaluated as monotherapy or in combination with other anticancer agents, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy, to maximize therapeutic efficacy and overcome treatment resistance. Additionally, CD70-targeted ADCs, which deliver cytotoxic drugs directly to CD70-expressing tumor cells, are also being investigated for their potential to improve treatment outcomes.
Looking ahead, the future of CD70-targeted therapy in cancer treatment is promising, with ongoing research focused on optimizing antibody design, enhancing antitumor immune responses, and identifying predictive biomarkers for patient selection. Ongoing innovation and clinical progress in CD70-targeted antibodies and antibody-based therapeutics have the capacity to revolutionize cancer treatment methods, leading to enhanced outcomes for patients diagnosed with CD70-expressing malignancies.
