HER2 BATs + pembrolizumab

HER2 BATs + pembrolizumab is an investigational combination therapy comprising two components: - **HER2 BATs** (HER2Bi armed activated T-cells): These are autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) collected from the patient via apheresis, then activated and expanded ex vivo with OKT3 and IL-2. The cells are subsequently "armed" with a bispecific antibody targeting both CD3 (on T cells) and HER2 (a tumor antigen), creating cytotoxic T lymphocytes that can recognize and kill HER2-expressing tumor cells in a non-MHC restricted manner. This cellular therapy aims to enhance anti-tumor immune responses by directly targeting cancer cells expressing the HER2 antigen[1][6]. - **Pembrolizumab** is a programmed death 1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibitor monoclonal antibody that blocks PD-1 on immune cells, thereby enhancing anti-tumor immunity. The combination has been studied in phase I/II clinical trials for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC)[1][3][6] and metastatic breast cancer[4][5]. The rationale is to combine direct cytotoxicity from engineered T-cells with checkpoint inhibition to potentially improve efficacy over either approach alone.

Brand names

Keytruda

Other names

HER2Bi armed activated T-cells + pembrolizumabAnti-CD3 x Anti-HER2 bispecific antibody-armed activated T cells + pembrolizumab