| abstract |
The present invention discloses multispecific molecules that induce effector cell-mediated killing of target cells. This molecule is "multispecific" because one or more targets bind to multiple (two or more) separate targets, which are Fc receptors on immune cell surfaces. Multispecific molecules of the invention are molecules consisting of one or more moieties that bind to Fc receptors, such as Fcγ receptors (eg, FcγRI) or Fcα receptors, and one or more moieties that bind to different targets, such as antigens on tumor cells or pathogens. It includes. Multispecific molecules of the invention are antigen “multimers composed of multiple (ie, two or more) moieties that bind to a molecule (eg, an Fc receptor) on an antigen expressing cell (APC) that is bound to one or more antigens. Complex ". These multimer complexes target antigens, such as autoantigens, to APCs, inducing and / or enhancing the internalization (inclusion), processing and / or expression of antigens by APCs. Thus, these molecules can be used to induce or enhance immune responses in vivo or in vitro against proteins that are normally non-immunogenic, such as autoantigens. In specific embodiments, one or more portions of the multispecific molecule are humanized or human antibodies or antibody fragments (eg, ScFv or Fab ′) that bind to Fc receptors or receptors on target cells (eg, EGF-R or HER2). It includes.n n n n Antigen, antibody, receptor, bispecific, multispecific, complex, fragment |