Researchers have developed a modified antibody whose role is to activate an important protein of the immune system, CD40. During a preliminary trial, this antibody named 2141-V11 was injected directly into patients' tumors. This method helps limit adverse effects while intensifying the attack against cancer cells.
Designed to bind firmly to CD40 receptors and interact with other immune components, this antibody demonstrates good efficacy in the laboratory. Furthermore, its local administration helps avoid reaching healthy tissues, thereby reducing the risks of inflammation or liver damage observed with older versions injected intravenously.
During this phase 1 trial, twelve patients with advanced cancers, such as melanoma or breast cancer, received the treatment. None experienced the severe side effects typically associated with this type of therapy. For six of them, the tumors regressed, and two even saw their cancer disappear completely, a result that is uncommon in studies of this scale.
Analyses indicated that the antibody caused the formation of structures similar to lymph nodes within the tumors. These aggregates, composed of several types of immune cells, create an environment unfavorable to cancer. A remarkable point is that this effect spread to non-injected tumors, revealing an immune response that propagates throughout the body.
Several additional trials are currently underway to evaluate this approach for other difficult-to-treat cancers, such as bladder cancer or glioblastoma. This work will help determine why some patients respond better to the treatment and how to adjust it for those who benefit less, thus paving the way for more personalized therapies.
This progress shows how a precise modification of a drug can optimize its efficacy while reducing its risks. By directly targeting tumors, it becomes possible to mobilize the body's defenses more safely, thus offering a new perspective in the fight against cancerous diseases.