Figure 7.

BiTE antibodies. The variable region (ScFv) of an antibody recognizes cell surface epitopes. The short chain component of any given epitope specific antibody can be replaced with another ScFv fragment that recognizes and activates CD3 on T cells. The product is a ‘Siamese’ antibody that specifically and in sequence can recognize two separate entities, e.g. CD 19 and CD 3 hence the term ‘bispecific T cell engaging: BiTE’. The antibody is thought to function as an introduction agent allowing T cells to bind to and become activated around cancer targets such as the cell surface molecule CD19 present on some B cell neoplasms. The subsequent degranulation of the T cell results in release of T cell substances such as perforin and granzyme that are cytotoxic to the target cancer