Trogocytosis in cancer cells and methods for treating cancer related thereto

Abstract

It has been discovered that cancer cells obtain immune cell markers by trogocytosis. Thus, methods of identifying and characterizing non-immune cells by the presence of immune cell markers thereon are provided. The method can indicate that the non-immune cells (e.g., cancer cells) have undergone trogocytosis. Such a determination can be used to design and guide cancer treatment. Thus, compositions and methods for selectively targeting and/or killing cancer cells in a subject have also been developed. In some embodiments, the compositions include an antibody, preferably a bispecific antibody, that selectively targets tumor cells with an antigen binding domain that targets an immune cell marker present on cancer cells, preferably, one that is deposited from immune cells onto tumor cell surface. In additional/alternative embodiments, the compositions and methods include administering a subject a composition for inhibiting trogocytosis. In some forms, inhibition of trogocytosis enhances the therapeutic efficacy of existing cancer therapies.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.