Speaker: Prof. Qi ZHAO

Host: Prof. Zheng ZHAO, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen

Abstract:

In recent years, immune checkpoint therapy becomes a breakthrough strategy to reactivate antitumor immune responses. B7-H3, an immune-checkpoint molecule and a transmembrane protein, is overexpressed in a panel of solid tumors, making it an attractive therapeutic target for neuroblastoma and non-small cell lung cancer. We identified and humanized novel monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) recognizing B7-H3. MAbs were designed to destroy B7-H3+ solid tumor cells by utilizing mechanisms of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) or antibody-drug conjugation (ADC). B7-H3 xCD16a bispecific antibodies directed at B7-H3 and human CD16a can engage natural killer (NK) cells to lyse tumors. Additionally, we constructed chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) to redirect either T or NK cells against B7-H3+ tumor cells. Meanwhile, based on various antibody and immune cell formats, nanoparticle drug delivery systems were built for the targeted delivery and controlled release of therapeutic agents in multiple in vitro and in vivo models. Together, our results suggest that B7-H3 may serve as a target for cancer therapy and support the further development of anti-B7-H3 therapeutic agents in the preclinical and clinical studies.

About the Speaker:

Prof. Zhao Qi is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau. He received his bachelor's degree from the School of Life Sciences, Jilin University and his Ph.D. from the Department of Biochemistry, the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He served as a postdoctoral fellow at the National Cancer Institute/NIH, a Research Associate at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. He is interested in the development of antibody-based therapeutics for cancer. The research focuses on engineering of monoclonal antibodies, bispecific antibodies, or chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), the delivery system of drugs.