Definition

A bispecific antibody targeting the tumor-associated antigen (TAA) HLA-G histocompatibility antigen, class I, G (human leukocyte antigen G; HLA-G) and the CD3 antigen found on T lymphocytes, with potential immune checkpoint inhibiting, immunomodulating and antineoplastic activities. Upon administration, the anti-HLA-G/CD3 bispecific antibody JNJ-78306358 targets and binds to both CD3 on cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and HLA-G found on HLA-G-expressing tumor cells. This activates and redirects CTLs to HLA-G-expressing tumor cells, which results in the CTL-mediated cell death of HLA-G-expressing tumor cells. HLA-G, an immune checkpoint normally expressed at the maternal-fetal interface, is expressed across multiple tumor types and plays a key role in cancer immune evasion. It inhibits immune responses by binding to its inhibitory receptors on a variety of immune cells, such as natural killer cells (NKs), T and B lymphocytes, and dendritic cells (DCs).