BiTE

BiTE

BiTE (acronym for "bi-specific T-cell engagers"), a class of specific modified antibodies that direct a host's T cells cytotoxic activity against diseased cells (e.g cancer cells).

Several products that have come under close scrutiny in a few preclinical and early clinical studies have produced promising results. Advantages of treatment with BiTEs, which is a kind of immunotherapy is its specificity, potency and relatively mild side effects (at least compared to side effects of chemotherapy).

BiTEs form a momentary link between T cells and tumor cells that elicits cytotoxic T cells' activity on tumor cells. This action mimicks physiological processes observed during T cell attacks against tumor cells. Proteins like perforin and granzymes enter tumor cells from T cells and initiate the cell's apoptosis. This way not only the primary tumor is destroyed but also even microscopic metatases.
Even small concentrations of BiTE antibodies have been demonstrated to be exceptionally effective due to T cells proliferation in the course of the killing process. The additional therapeutic effect might be augumentation of host's immune system.

Examples of BiTE drugs:
* Blinatumomab (MT103) - used in non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and acute lymphoblastic leukemia, that is directed towards CD19, a surface molecule expressed on B cells
* MT110 - used in treatment of gastrointestinal and lung cancers which targets the EpCAM antigen
* Adecatumumab (MT201)

Utilizing the same technology melanoma (MCSP specific) and acute myeloid leukemia (CD33 specific) neoplasms can be targeted but this research is currently ongoing. Another avenue for a novel anti-cancer therapy would be re-engineering some of currently used conventional antibodies like trastuzumab, cetuximab, and panitumumab to use BiTE approach.

External links

* [http://www.micromet.de/index.php?id=67 About BiTE technology] from Micromet Inc.
* [http://typo3.micromet-inc.com/fileadmin/template/main/pdf_en/bite_backgrounder.pdf 3 page summary by Micromet Inc.]
* [http://www.cancernetwork.com/display/article/10165/1165525 "Novel BiTE antibody mediates contact between T cells and cancer cells"] cancernetwork.com
* [http://pharmalicensing.com/public/outlicensing/view/4943/ige-specific-bite-antibodies-in-allergy-and-asthma IgE-specific BiTE Antibodies in Allergy and Asthma ]


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  • bite — ou bitte [ bit ] n. f. • 1584; du norm. bitter « boucher », de l a. scand. bita « mordre » ♦ Vulg. Pénis. ⊗ HOM. Beat, bit, bitte. ● bitte ou bite nom féminin (ancien français abiter, copuler, de bitter à, toucher à, de l ancien scandinave bita,… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Bite — (b[imac]t), v. t. [imp. {Bit} (b[i^]t); p. p. {Bitten} (b[i^]t t n), {Bit}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Biting}.] [OE. biten, AS. b[=i]tan; akin to D. bijten, OS. b[=i]tan, OHG. b[=i]zan, G. beissen, Goth. beitan, Icel. b[=i]ta, Sw. bita, Dan. bide, L.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Bite — Bite, n. [OE. bite, bit, bitt, AS. bite bite, fr. b[=i]tan to bite, akin to Icel. bit, OS. biti, G. biss. See {Bite}, v., and cf. {Bit}.] 1. The act of seizing with the teeth or mouth; the act of wounding or separating with the teeth or mouth; a… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • bite — ► VERB (past bit; past part. bitten) 1) use the teeth to cut into something. 2) (of a snake, insect, or spider) wound with a sting, pincers, or fangs. 3) (of a fish) take the bait or lure on the end of a fishing line into the mouth. 4) (of a tool …   English terms dictionary

  • bite — bite, gnaw, champ, gnash are comparable when they mean to attack with or as if with the teeth. Bite fundamentally implies a getting of the teeth, especially the front teeth, into something so as to grip, pierce, or tear off {bite an apple deeply} …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • bite — [baɪt] noun [countable] COMPUTING another spelling of byte * * * Ⅰ. bite UK US /baɪt/ verb [I] ● start/begin to bite Cf. start/begin to bite …   Financial and business terms

  • Bite Me — is typically used as an idiomatic expression of discontent or aggravation toward another party. It may also refer to: * Bite Me , a song by Detroit based rock band Electric Six on their second album Senor Smoke * Bite Me (song), a song from the… …   Wikipedia

  • bite — [bīt] vt. bit [bit] bitten [bit′ n] or biting [ME biten < OE bītan < IE base * bheid , to split, crack > BEETLE1, BITTER, L findere, to split (see FISSION)] …   English World dictionary

  • bite — [n1] injury from gripping, tearing chaw*, chomp*, gob*, itch*, laceration, nip, pain, pinch, prick, smarting, sting, tooth marks*, wound; concept 309 bite [n2] mouthful of food brunch, drop, light meal, morsel, nibble, nosh*, piece, refreshment,… …   New thesaurus

  • bite at — ˈbite at [transitive] [present tense I/you/we/they bite at he/she/it bites at past tense bit at past participle bitten at] …   Useful english dictionary

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