Definition

An immunoglobulin Fc-modified bispecific monoclonal antibody against the tumor-associated antigen (TAA) CD123 and the human T-cell surface antigen CD3 bispecific monoclonal antibody, with potential immunostimulatory and antineoplastic activities. Upon administration, anti-CD123/CD3 monoclonal antibody APVO436 simultaneously binds to both CD3-expressing T cells and CD123-expressing cancer cells, thereby crosslinking CD123-expressing tumor cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). This results in the activation and proliferation of T-cells and causes CTL-mediated cell lysis of CD123-expressing tumor cells. CD123, the interleukin-3 receptor alpha chain, is overexpressed in a variety of hematological malignancies; its expression is low or absent in normal hematopoietic progenitors and stem cells. The Fc domain on the antibody prolongs the half-life of the bispecific antibody. Compared to some other CD123 x CD3 targeting bispecific antibodies, APVO436 causes less cytokine release upon T-cell stimulation.