Chronic Antigen Exposure Limits TCB Efficacy in Melanoma
T cell bispecific antibodies (TCBs) are emerging as promising cancer immunotherapies, yet their effectiveness in solid tumors remains variable. In a recent study published in OncoImmunology, researchers investigated the impact of chronic antigen exposure on TCB response in melanoma. Using both murine and human models, the team demonstrated that tumor-specific CD8+ T cells exposed to persistent antigens become exhausted and show diminished responsiveness to TCB treatment.
The findings suggest that the functional state of T cells - rather than their abundance - is critical for TCB efficacy. In collaboration with Roche, the study highlights a potential biomarker for patient stratification and emphasizes the importance of preserving T cell fitness in solid tumor immunotherapy.
Nicole Joller contributed to this interdisciplinary work alongside collaborators at the University of Zurich and the Roche Innovation Center Zurich.
Read the full article: https://doi.org/10.1080/2162402X.2025.2526444