B-cell maturation antigen and T-cell surface glycoprotein CD3 epsilon chain (BCMA and CD3)

B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA, TNFRSF17, CD269) is a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily. It is selectively expressed on mature B lymphocytes and highly upregulated in malignant plasma cells, notably in multiple myeloma. BCMA mediates B cell survival and is considered an ideal immunotherapeutic target due to its restricted expression and disease association. CD3 refers to a complex of proteins (CD3 epsilon, gamma, delta, zeta) forming the signaling component of the T-cell receptor (TCR) complex on T lymphocytes. CD3 is critical for T-cell activation upon recognition of antigenic peptides bound to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. In bispecific antibody therapies, the dual targeting of BCMA and CD3 enables simultaneous binding to myeloma (tumor) cells and T cells, thereby recruiting and activating T cells to kill tumor cells. Such therapies have shown high and specific anti-tumor activity but may be associated with immune-mediated toxicities. Importantly, "BCMA and CD3" as a target is not a single biological molecule but refers to a combination approach where a molecule (e.g., antibody) is engineered to engage both targets simultaneously.

Other names

BCMA: TNFRSF17BCMA: CD269BCMA: Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 17CD3: CD3 epsilonCD3: CD3"CD3: T-cell surface glycoprotein CD3 epsilonCD3: CD3 complexCD3: T-cell receptor complex

For bispecific anti-BCMA/anti-CD3 antibodies: simultaneous binding of BCMA on multiple myeloma cells and CD3 on T cells brings T cells into proximity with tumor cells, leading to T-cell activation, cytokine secretion, and targeted cytotoxicity against BCMA-expressing myeloma cells ("redirected lysis")