HBs-directed T cell engager antibodies foster efficient recruitment of T cells and lead to strong reduction of HBV infection in livers of humanized mice

Background/Aim Recent studies have shown that bispecific T cell engager antibodies (TengAbs) binding HBV envelope proteins on infected hepatocytes and CD3 or CD28 on T cells, can activate T cells, leading to control of HBV infection in vitro and of tumor cell growth in vivo (Quitt et al. J Hepatol. 2021). The aim was to assess the antiviral efficacy of TengAbs on HBV infection in vivo in HBV-infected, human liver chimeric mice.