The immune system plays a vital role in defending the body against invading pathogens such as viruses and bacteria, as well as in surveilling and eliminating malignant cells. In recent years, the pivotal role of antibodies in immunology has become increasingly evident. These versatile proteins not only act as essential components of the immune system, shielding the host from invading pathogens, but they also significantly contribute to modulating tumour growth and progression. Antibodies exhibit exceptional specificity, binding to their corresponding antigens with high affinity, which allows them to neutralize pathogens or aid in their clearance by other immune cells.
Recent progress in immunology and molecular biology has illuminated the intricate interplay between antibodies and their targets in the context of viral infections and cancer. An expanding body of evidence demonstrates that antibodies can mediate various mechanisms of action, including viral particle neutralization, antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), and antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP). Moreover, the discovery and development of functional antibodies, immune checkpoint inhibitors, antibody engineering, and antibody-drug conjugates have revolutionized the fields of cancer and antiviral immunotherapy, providing unprecedented clinical benefits to patients with diverse types of malignancies and infectious diseases. Despite significant progress in understanding the molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potential of antibodies, several crucial questions remain unanswered, hindering the optimization and widespread implementation of antibody-based therapies.
This Research Topic aims to delve into the intricacies of antibody-mediated viral clearance and tumour suppression, investigate the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved, and explore novel therapeutic strategies. Additionally, this topic seeks to evaluate the clinical applications and challenges associated with translating preclinical findings into effective treatments for patients suffering from viral infections and cancer. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge exchange among researchers, clinicians and industry experts, we believe that this Research Topic will definitely advance our understanding of the multifaceted functions of antibodies and contribute to the development of innovative solutions to combat these pervasive health challenges.
This Research Topic welcomes submissions about, but are not limited to followings:
- Exploring antibody interactions with viral particles and tumour cells: this will delve into the downstream effects of such interactions on viral clearance and tumour suppression.
- Antibody engineering and design advancements: this area will evaluate the latest progress in antibody engineering, including Fv and Fc modifications, and their potential to boost the effectiveness of antibodies in combating viral infections and cancer.
- Immune checkpoint blockade: this area will examine the role of antibody-based immune checkpoint inhibitors in modulating the immune response against cancer and chronic viral infections.
- Advancements in bispecific, multispecific antibodies, and antibody-drug conjugates: This area will investigate their roles in viral clearance and tumour suppression.
Topic Editor Heyu Chen is the Senior Scientist of AstraZeneca. Other Topic Editors declare no conflicts of interest with the Research Topic.
The immune system plays a vital role in defending the body against invading pathogens such as viruses and bacteria, as well as in surveilling and eliminating malignant cells. In recent years, the pivotal role of antibodies in immunology has become increasingly evident. These versatile proteins not only act as essential components of the immune system, shielding the host from invading pathogens, but they also significantly contribute to modulating tumour growth and progression. Antibodies exhibit exceptional specificity, binding to their corresponding antigens with high affinity, which allows them to neutralize pathogens or aid in their clearance by other immune cells.
Recent progress in immunology and molecular biology has illuminated the intricate interplay between antibodies and their targets in the context of viral infections and cancer. An expanding body of evidence demonstrates that antibodies can mediate various mechanisms of action, including viral particle neutralization, antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), and antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP). Moreover, the discovery and development of functional antibodies, immune checkpoint inhibitors, antibody engineering, and antibody-drug conjugates have revolutionized the fields of cancer and antiviral immunotherapy, providing unprecedented clinical benefits to patients with diverse types of malignancies and infectious diseases. Despite significant progress in understanding the molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potential of antibodies, several crucial questions remain unanswered, hindering the optimization and widespread implementation of antibody-based therapies.
This Research Topic aims to delve into the intricacies of antibody-mediated viral clearance and tumour suppression, investigate the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved, and explore novel therapeutic strategies. Additionally, this topic seeks to evaluate the clinical applications and challenges associated with translating preclinical findings into effective treatments for patients suffering from viral infections and cancer. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge exchange among researchers, clinicians and industry experts, we believe that this Research Topic will definitely advance our understanding of the multifaceted functions of antibodies and contribute to the development of innovative solutions to combat these pervasive health challenges.
This Research Topic welcomes submissions about, but are not limited to followings:
- Exploring antibody interactions with viral particles and tumour cells: this will delve into the downstream effects of such interactions on viral clearance and tumour suppression.
- Antibody engineering and design advancements: this area will evaluate the latest progress in antibody engineering, including Fv and Fc modifications, and their potential to boost the effectiveness of antibodies in combating viral infections and cancer.
- Immune checkpoint blockade: this area will examine the role of antibody-based immune checkpoint inhibitors in modulating the immune response against cancer and chronic viral infections.
- Advancements in bispecific, multispecific antibodies, and antibody-drug conjugates: This area will investigate their roles in viral clearance and tumour suppression.
Topic Editor Heyu Chen is the Senior Scientist of AstraZeneca. Other Topic Editors declare no conflicts of interest with the Research Topic.