In a major leap forward for cancer treatment, scientists at the University of Southampton have developed a new generation of “super-strong” antibodies that could turbocharge the immune system’s ability to fight cancer.
Published in the journal Nature Communications, the groundbreaking study—funded by Cancer Research UK—reveals that engineering antibodies to be more rigid drastically enhances their ability to activate immune cells. These modified antibodies, researchers say, could pave the way for more powerful immunotherapy treatments for cancer and potentially other diseases.
"The concept of using immuno-stimulation for cancer treatment is very exciting," said Professor Mark Cragg of the Centre for Cancer Immunology at Southampton. "Our study confirms that making even subtle increases in the rigidity of antibodies significantly stimulates immune activity, creating a powerful immune response against the disease."
Antibodies, the Y-shaped proteins produced by white blood cells, naturally defend the body by binding to harmful invaders such as viruses, bacteria, and cancer cells. Their ability to trigger immune responses depends on how well they can engage with receptors on immune cells.
The Southampton team discovered that by adding extra disulfide bonds—molecular "bridges"—between the arms of these antibodies, they could make the proteins more rigid. This improved structural firmness, in turn, boosted their ability to cluster immune cell receptors together, a crucial step in initiating a strong immune attack.
"Floppier antibodies are less likely to do this effectively," explained Isabel Elliott, a PhD researcher and co-author of the study. “We found more rigid antibodies seem to be better at activating immune cells.”
Using supercomputers to model these microscopic changes in atomic detail, structural biology expert Professor Ivo Tews said the team was able to design and position the added molecular bridges with precision. The resulting rigid antibodies outperformed their flexible counterparts in lab tests.
“This idea of controlling antibody activity by making them more rigid seems to apply to many other similar molecules on immune cells,” Tews added.
Dr. Iain Foulkes, Executive Director of Research and Innovation at Cancer Research UK, hailed the findings as a pivotal step in refining immunotherapy strategies.
"Using the latest technologies to engineer this type of super-strong antibody that could trigger a promising immune response will empower us to continue pioneering new ways to outsmart cancer," he said.
With immunotherapy already a cornerstone of modern cancer care, these engineered antibodies may become the next big weapon in the ongoing battle against the disease.