Dr. Dumbrava on the Mechanism of Action of BDC-1001 in Advanced HER2-Expressing Breast Cancer

Ecaterina Ileana Dumbrava, MD, an assistant professor in the Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, of the Division of Cancer Medicine, at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses the mechanism of action of BDC-1001 in advanced HER2-expressing breast cancer.

BDC-1001, a HER2-targeting TLR7/8 immune-stimulating antibody conjugate (ISAC), is currently being examined in an ongoing phase 1 study, according to Dumbrava. The agent consists of an investigational biosimilar of the humanized monoclonal antibody trastuzumab (Herceptin), which is conjugated to a TLR7/8 agonist with a noncleavable linker that is given systemically, Dumbrava explains.

ISACs, such as BDC-1001, can elicit new immune responses in patients by activating human myeloid antigen–presenting cells while retaining antibody-mediated functions, such as antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and phagocytosis, adds Dumbrava.

Although several treatment advances have been made for patients with HER2-expressing breast cancer, improved targeted approaches are needed to further improve patient outcomes, Dumbrava concludes.