Definition

An Fc-inert bispecific antibody directed against the tumor-associated antigen (TAA) human epithelial cell adhesion molecule (Ep-CAM; EpCAM; CD326) and the costimulatory receptor 4-1BB (CD137; tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 9; TNFRSF9), with potential immunostimulating and antineoplastic activities. Upon administration, anti-EpCAM/anti-4-1BB bispecific antibody BNT314 simultaneously targets and binds to both EpCAM expressed on tumor cells and 4-1BB expressed on a variety of leukocyte subsets including activated T lymphocytes. This crosslinks EpCAM-expressing tumor cells and 4-1BB-expressing T cells, and activates 4-1BB signaling locally in the tumor microenvironment (TME). This results in cytotoxic T-cell co-stimulation and enhances T-lymphocyte-mediated anti-tumor activity. EpCAM, a cell surface protein upregulated on many tumor cell types, promotes the proliferation, migration and invasiveness of tumor cells. 4-1BB, a surface glycoprotein of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily (TNFRSF), is an inducible costimulatory receptor that plays a key role in T-cell proliferation, survival and cytolytic activity.