Overview
What Is Bispecific Therapy?
Bispecific antibody therapy is a groundbreaking advancement in cancer treatment that targets cancer cells using the patient’s immune system. This therapy is an innovative treatment option for patients with conditions that may be resistant to other treatment options.
How do bispecific antibodies work?
Bispecific antibodies work by directing the patient’s T cells to the cancers cells, helping the immune system work more effectively. Once the antibodies are delivered into the body, they bind to two targets—one side attaches to the cancer cell, and the other connects with the T cell—bringing them together to trigger a more focused immune response.
Bispecific antibodies can be administered by injection or infusion, either in a hospital or at an outpatient infusion center. During initial treatments, patients receive gradually increasing doses to help minimize side effects. After this phase, treatments typically continue at regular dosing intervals.
Bispecific antibodies are available to patients diagnosed with the following cancers:
- Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
- Uveal Melanoma
- Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma
- Follicular Lymphoma
- Multiple Myeloma
- Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer
Targeted, precise immune response
Bispecific antibodies directly bind immune cells to cancer cells, facilitating a more accurate immune response.
Improved outcomes
Studies show that bispecific antibodies have improved outcomes for multiple cancer types, including small cell lung cancer and blood cancers.
Streamlined treatment
Bispecific antibodies are off-the-shelf therapies, which are more readily available for patients.
What to Expect
What to Expect with Bispecific Therapy
Recent advances in medical research have enabled the development of bispecific therapies, offering a dual-targeted approach to enhance precision and efficacy in cancer treatment. Bispecific antibodies present a novel therapeutic option for patients whose cancers may not respond well to conventional treatments. By engaging both the immune system and the tumor directly, this therapy provides a targeted approach that could improve outcomes in challenging cases.
How is bispecific antibody therapy administered?
At Texas Oncology, injections or infusions for bispecific therapy are delivered in an outpatient infusion center. This treatment may utilize step-up dosing, gradually increasing the amount of medication given in an effort to mitigate side effects. After the initial step-up dosing is completed, bispecific therapies may continue at regularly scheduled dosing intervals or as maintenance therapy.
What are the side effects of bispecific therapy?
Like all cancer treatments, bispecific therapy may come with some side effects, including:
Fever and chills, especially after your first few doses
- Fatigue that may last a few days after treatment
- Mild stomach upset, nausea, or headaches
Less common but serious side effects include Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS) (a temporary immune reaction that can cause fever, low blood pressure or difficulty breathing), neurological symptoms, infections, and low blood counts.
If you have questions about bispecific therapy or its potential side effects, please consult your provider.
Find Care
Why Choose Texas Oncology
Our team of specialists is dedicated to your health and well-being. When you come to us for care, you will find:
Trusted expertise
Our specialists trained at leading institutions across the country. They bring their extensive knowledge and experience to each patient.
Personalized attention
With our care team, you receive an individualized evaluation and care plan. We are with you and your loved ones at every step, from diagnosis to treatment and beyond.
Experts close to home
We make it as easy as possible to access the care you need. With locations across the state, you are likely to find a provider near where you live and work.
