Antibody-coated tumor cell

Antibody-coated tumor cells are malignant cells that have been bound by antibodies, typically through the recognition of cell surface tumor-associated antigens. This opsonization enables immune effector mechanisms such as antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), in which natural killer (NK) cells, macrophages, and other immune cells recognize the Fc region of the bound antibody and induce apoptosis or lysis of the tumor cell. This process is a fundamental component of the action of many monoclonal antibody cancer therapies, including rituximab and trastuzumab[1][2][3][5]. The phrase itself refers to a process and cellular state, not a discrete molecular entity or druggable target.

Other names

antibody-opsonized tumor cellantibody-tagged tumor cell

Antibody-coated tumor cells facilitate immune effector mechanisms such as antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), where immune cells like natural killer (NK) cells bind to the Fc region of the coating antibodies and induce apoptosis or lysis of the tumor cell. They can also trigger complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) via their Fc region, lead to enhanced phagocytosis by macrophages (opsonization), and promote T cell immunity recruitment through dendritic cell uptake of opsonized tumor cells.