Revolutionary breakthrough: Würzburg researchers decrypt cancer control!

A research team from the Julius Maximilians University Würzburg recently published a study in the “Science” journal, which deals with the effect of therapeutic antibodies on cancer cells. The focus is on blood cancer, in particular chronic lymphatic leukemia (CLL), in which B cells of the immune system grow uncontrollably. With this form of therapy, tailor-made antibodies are used to mark the protein CD20 on B cells and trigger immunological reactions that lead to the destruction of cancer cells.

Professor Markus Sauer, a member of the research team, emphasizes the importance of knowledge about the binding of the antibodies to the CD20 protein. The newly developed approach called LLS-TDI-DNA-Paint enables 3D examinations of the interactions between therapeutic antibodies and tumor cells, which can lead to a better understanding of the mechanisms of action. The first author of the study, Dr. Arindam Ghosh, and his team have already gained initial knowledge about the effect of four different therapeutic antibodies (Rituximab, OFATUMAB, Obinutuzumab, 2H7), all of which cause the CD20 molecules in the cell membrane and trigger the activation of the complement system.

results of the study

The results show that the chain of the CD20 molecules takes place regardless of classification in type I or II. These new findings refute previous assumptions about different mechanisms of action of these antibodies. The team was also able to observe that the antibodies lead to stabilizing microvilli, which turns the B cells into a hedgehog form. In view of these important results, the research team plans further investigations on the possibilities of activating macrophages and natural killer cells by the treated B cells.

In connection with chronic lymphatic leukemia, it is known that this malignant disease is about 25% of all leukemia and is the most common malignant lymphatic disease in western countries. As stated in a report by Cochrane, the courses and forecasts of the CLL can vary greatly. While some patients hardly show symptoms over the years, other patients need immediate treatments due to symptomatic complications.

therapy approaches

The standard treatment usually includes chemotherapy in combination with monoclonal antibodies, such as rituximab or alemtuzumab. A systematic review of Cochrane shows that rituximab can cause significant improvements in the overall survival of patients, but can also increase the risk of serious infections. Randomized controlled studies are required to examine the clinical effect of new CD20 antibodies compared to rituximab and to clarify the benefits for patients with serious comorbidities.

The ongoing studies, including analyzes in OFATUMAB, will help to improve the evidence situation and gain new findings. The current results of Ghosh et al. represent significant progress in the understanding of the therapeutic antibodies and their uses at CLL.