Antibody-Based Therapy in AML: Antibody–Drug Conjugates and Bispecific Agents

Abstract

<h2>Introduction</h2> Remissions following therapy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are often not durable, and conventional treatments can have substantial toxicity. The last few years have witnessed an emergence of promising therapies for patients with AML. Antibody-based therapies can target leukemic cells via a variety of mechanisms. Conjugation of antibodies with cytotoxic agents or alteration of antibody segments to allow concurrent activation of T cells have transformed and expanded the therapeutic potential of antibody-based treatment. Identification and characterization of antigens specific to AML cells have helped to identify targets for antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) therapy. In addition, bispecific T cell engagers (BiTE) and dual-affinity retargeting (DART) therapies are emerging as therapeutically effective targeted immune-based treatment for patients with AML. Incorporating the target antigen-binding domain of an antibody, these molecules then engage and active the human immune system against leukemic cells expressing that target.