Nat Biomed Eng
. 2026 Apr;10(4):732-752.
doi: 10.1038/s41551-025-01569-4. Epub 2025 Dec 10.
A trispecific antibody engaging T cells with tumour and myeloid cells augments antitumour immunityChangrui Yang # 1 2, Shanni Guo # 1 2, Kaiyan Ye # 1 2, Yizong Ding # 3, Xingzhong Zhao 4 5, Yucheng T Yang 4 5, Bowen Sun 1 2, Shuyi Qian 1 2, Mei-Chun Cai 1 2, Luyan Liu 6, Libing Xiang 7, Xia Yin 1 2, Xing-Ming Zhao 4 5, Jieyi Wang 8, Jiwei Zhang 9, Wen Di 10 11, Guanglei Zhuang 12 13, Fan Yang 14 15
Affiliations Expand
AbstractImmunologically unresponsive tumours often resist immune checkpoint inhibitors due to the low abundance of tumour-specific T cells and an immunosuppressive microenvironment, despite pronounced infiltration of non-tumour-specific (bystander) T cells. Here we analysed single-cell RNA sequencing data from 300 patients across 17 tumour types, identifying abundant but functionally restrained bystander T cells in multiple malignancies, including ovarian and colorectal cancer. To enhance antitumour immunity in such contexts, we engineered B7H3xCD3xPDL1, a trispecific immunoglobulin-based T cell engager targeting B7H3, CD3 and PDL1, to redirect T cells while mitigating immunosuppression. Functional validation in co-culture systems, patient-derived tumour suspensions and fragments, and humanized mouse models showed T cell activation and tumour killing. Imaging cytometry and single-cell transcriptomics revealed IFNγ-dependent macrophage reprogramming and IL-15 secretion, establishing a feed-forward loop that augments T cell functionality. A machine learning model trained on ex vivo cytotoxicity and transcriptomic data predicted patient responsiveness, supporting data-driven clinical stratification for solid tumour immunotherapy.
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