Antibody Isotypes for Tumor Immunotherapy

Abstract

Compared to the evolutionary diversity of antibody isotypes, the spectrum of currently approved therapeutic antibodies is biased to the human IgG1 isotype. Detailed studies into the different structures and functions of human isotypes have suggested that other isotypes than IgG1 may be advantageous for specific indications - depending on the complex interplay between the targeted antigen or epitope, the desired mode of action, the pharmacokinetic properties, and the biopharmaceutical considerations. Thus, it may be speculated that with the increasing number of antibodies becoming available against a broadening spectrum of target antigens, identification of the optimal antibody isotype for particular therapeutic applications may become critical for the therapeutic success of individual antibodies. Thus, investments into this rather unexplored area of antibody immunotherapy may provide opportunities for distinction in the increasingly busy 'antibody space'. Therefore, IgG, IgA, IgE as well as IgM isotypes will be discussed in this review.

Keywords: Cancer; Immune response; Immunoglobulin isotypes; Immunotherapy.

Fig. 1

Schematic representation of antibody isotypes and subclasses.