minibody

A minibody is a type of bispecific antibody fragment engineered to target two distinct antigens simultaneously. These molecules are typically engineered from the variable regions of antibodies. One common design involves linking two single-chain variable fragments (scFvs) together, often via a peptide linker, to create a molecule that can bind to two different targets. The modular nature of minibodies allows for flexible engineering to achieve specific binding profiles.

The primary advantage of minibodies lies in their small size, which can facilitate better tissue penetration compared to full-length antibodies. This characteristic makes them potentially useful for delivering payloads, such as cytotoxic drugs or imaging agents, directly to target cells or tissues, like tumors. By binding to two targets, minibodies can enhance specificity and reduce off-target effects.

Minibodies have found applications in various fields, including cancer therapy and diagnostics. In oncology, they can be designed to bind to tumor-specific antigens and immune cells, bringing them into close proximity to mediate an anti-tumor immune response. Their bispecificity can also be leveraged to overcome resistance mechanisms or to facilitate the binding of therapeutic agents to cells that express low levels of a particular antigen. Research and development continue to explore novel designs and therapeutic applications of minibodies.