Recent research from the University of Southampton in the UK has enabled scientists to create "super-strong" antibodies that may be effective in treating cancer. These enhanced antibodies are more powerful and can stimulate the immune system more effectively than the natural antibodies that defend the body against bacteria and viruses.
According to a study reported by "Science Daily," researchers have enhanced the ability of antibodies to activate immune cells by altering their shape and flexibility. The findings indicate that antibodies with a more rigid structure are more effective at eliciting an immune response. This research was published in the journal "Nature Communications" and was funded by Cancer Research UK.
The research team, led by Professor Mark Cragg, found that even minor modifications to the structure of antibodies can improve their interaction with immune cells, resulting in a more robust immune response to diseases. Co-author and PhD student Isabel Elliott explained that the rigidity of antibodies enables them to more effectively cluster molecules on immune cells, generating a stronger activation signal that enhances the immune system's performance. Ivo Tevs, a professor of structural biology at the University of Southampton, added that supercomputers were utilized to analyze the atomic structure of antibodies, allowing for the incorporation of additional disulfide bonds. These bonds enhance the antibody's rigidity by tightly connecting its two arms.
Research indicates that this method may be applicable not only to cancer treatment but also to other immune-related diseases. Lain Foulkes, the chief executive of Cancer Research UK, notes that these technologies could significantly boost the immune system's capacity to combat cancer, marking a crucial advancement in the effectiveness of immunotherapy. This groundbreaking approach paves the way for the creation of more effective and targeted immunotherapies in cancer care.
