Antigen density matters: Advancing immune-targeted cancer therapies

Assessing antigen density

A key challenge in developing tumour targeting therapies lies in identifying optimal tumour associated antigens. 

These antigens aren’t often cancer specific. They are overexpressed on cancerous tissue but can also be found in healthy tissues. 

Efficient treatment may be more difficult and contributes to immune evasion by tumours that downregulate the expression of the target antigen – termed ‘antigen escape’. 

This applies to:

• Immune cell therapies 
• Immune cell engagers 
• Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs)
• Multi-specific and bispecific antibodies 
• Conventional mAbs

Using IndEx-2 and scIC

What would be the ideal system for measuring antigen density effect? 

Our dual inducible system IndEx-2 is engineered to mimic tumour-associated antigen targeting, and is finely titratable over a dynamic range of expression (~100s-100,000s of receptors). The platform is particularly suited for CAR-T therapies and multispecific engagers. 

Additionally, performing single cell Interaction Cytometry (scIC) with heliXcyto provides real-time, cell-trapped binding kinetics analysis – offering insight into receptor expression and avidity. This can influence therapeutic engagement, a crucial consideration for monoclonal antibody treatments. 

Watch Lynne's presentation to learn more!