bavituximab

Bavituximab is a chimeric (human-mouse) IgG1 monoclonal antibody that targets phosphatidylserine, an anionic phospholipid normally located on the inner leaflet of cell membranes but exposed on the surface of tumor blood vessel cells and cells infected with certain viruses. By binding to phosphatidylserine in a β2-glycoprotein I-dependent manner, bavituximab stimulates antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) against tumor vasculature and reprograms immune cells within the tumor microenvironment to support immune activation. This results in destruction of tumor vessels, reversal of immunosuppression, recruitment of M1 macrophages, dendritic cell maturation, and induction of adaptive T lymphocyte responses. Bavituximab has been investigated primarily for solid tumors such as non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), as well as for potential antiviral applications.

Brand names

Tarvacin

Other names

Tarvacin