Bispecific anti-PD-1/LAG-3 antibodies for treatment of advanced or metastatic solid tumors: a patent evaluation of US2018326054.

Introduction: Due to the primary role of PD-1 and LAG-3 in regulating the immune response in tumors, there is a need to develop therapies focused on the inhibition of PD-1 and LAG-3 in order to improve the immune response in patients with cancer. The authors of US2018326054 patent propose a method to eradicate cancer by using bispecific anti-PD-1/LAG-3 antibodies. Areas covered: The US2018326054 patent describes anti-PD-1/LAG3 antibodies, pharmaceutical composition that contains it, and their application for cancer treatment, particularly pancreatic carcinoma. Proof concept and preclinical results show anti-PD-1/LAG-3 bispecific antibodies bind and are internalized by CD4 + T cells thereby increasing their effector functions (release of Granzyme B and INF-gamma) in the presence of tumor cells, and completely suppress tumors in a murine model. Expert opinion: Anti-PD-1/LAG-3 bispecific antibodies of the US2018326054 patent are new in a general concept, but treatment data is only shown for pancreatic carcinoma. The results to be obtained in future clinical trials of safety and efficacy could conclude whether these bispecific anti-PD-1/LAG-3 antibodies will be useful in a cancer treatment scheme.