Bi-specific T-cell engager

Structure of a BiTE. VH: Heavy chain variable regions. VL: Light chain variable regions. Different specificity is marked with different colours and shapes. The arrows point from N- to C-terminus.

Bi-specific T-cell engager (BiTE) is a class of artificial bispecific monoclonal antibodies that are investigated for use as anti-cancer drugs. They direct a host's immune system, more specifically the T cells' cytotoxic activity, against cancer cells. BiTE is a registered trademark of Micromet AG (fully owned subsidiary of Amgen Inc).[1]

BiTE molecules are fusion proteins consisting of two single-chain variable fragments (scFvs) of different antibodies, or amino acid sequences from four different genes, on a single peptide chain of about 55 kilodaltons. One of the scFvs binds to T cells via the CD3 receptor, and the other to a tumor cell via a tumor specific molecule.[2][3]

  1. ^ "US Trademark registration no. 3,068,856, serial number 78/040,636". US Patent and Trademark Office.
  2. ^ Helwick, Caroline (1 June 2008). "Novel BiTE antibody mediates contact between T cells and cancer cells". Oncology NEWS International. 17 (6). Archived from the original on 16 February 2012. Retrieved 15 August 2008.
  3. ^ Rüttinger, D.; Zugmaier, G.; Nagorsen, D.; Reinhardt, C.; Baeuerle, P. A. (2008). "BiTE-Antikörper: Durch Bispezifität T-Lymphozyten gegen Tumorzellen richten" [BiTE antibodies: Directing T lymphocytes against tumor cells by bispecifity]. Journal Onkologie (in German) (4).