The development of bispecific antibodies to promote proapoptotic immunotherapy in pancreatic cancer

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Over the last 40 years in the U.K. there has been no improvement in pancreatic cancer survival rates. Currently less than 5% survive 5 years after diagnosis with the disease. It is a highly complex disease that is resistant to most current treatment strategies such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy. As such there is an urgent need to try develop more effective ways of treating this devastating disease. This project; through collaboration with Fusion Antibodies Ltd, who have over 15 years' experience in the medical research industry, will develop and evaluate a novel bispecific antibody designed to target pancreatic cancer. The main advantage of using a bispecific antibody is its unique ability to bind to two distinct targets. The antibody will be designed so that it interacts with both tumour cells, and cells in the surrounding microenvironment. The aim is to induce tumour cell death while also causing the stimulation and maturation of key activating components of the immune system. Ultimately it is hoped this project will lead to the development of a new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of pancreatic cancer, an area of acute clinical need.