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Fig. 2 | Molecular Cancer

Fig. 2

From: mRNA in cancer immunotherapy: beyond a source of antigen

Fig. 2

The structure and application of antibody (fragments) for cancer therapy. Left box: IgG antibodies (150 kDa) as found in humans consist of a Fab and Fc fragment, which are linked through a hinge region. The Fc fragment consists of constant regions from the heavy chain (CH), while the Fab fragment consists of constant and variable domains of the heavy and light chain (CH, VH and CL, VL respectively). Heavy chain only antibodies (HcAbs, 75 kDa) as found in camelids lack light chains. Examples of antibody fragments are single chain variable fragments (scFvs, 30 kDa) and heavy chain only VH domains (VHHs, nanobodies, 15 kDa). Right box: Antibodies are exploited to induce Fc-mediated anti-tumor immunity through activation of complement factors (CDC), macrophages (ADCP) or NK cells (ADCC). Antibodies and antibody fragments are also used to activate T cells with cytolytic activity. Bispecific T cell engagers (BiTEs) form a bridge between cancer cells and T cells. Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) allow T cells to recognize and kill cancer cells independent of antigen presentation in human leukocyte antigens (HLAs). Blockade of inhibitory immune checkpoints, such as that consisting of programmed death-1 (PD-1) and its ligand (PD-L1), releases the brake on T cell activity. Antibodies and antibody drug conjugates are exploited to directly act on cancer cells, depriving them from survival signals or growth factors, activating cell death pathways or delivering toxic payloads. Abbreviations: ADCC: antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity; ADCP: antibody-dependent cell phagocytosis; BiTE: bispecific T cell engager; CAR: chimeric antigen receptor; CDC: complement-dependent cytotoxicity; CH: constant domain of the heavy chain; CL: constant domain of the light chain; Fab: fragment, antigen binding; Fc: fragment crystallizable region; HcAb: heavy chain only antibody; HLA: human leukocyte antigen; PD-1: programmed death-1; PD-L1: programmed death-ligand 1; VH: variable domain of the heavy chain; VHH: variable domain of the heavy chain only antibody; VL: variable domain of the light chain

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