In silico directed evolution in antibody engineering: a promising approach to improvement antitumor biopharmaceuticals

Introduction: The successful introduction of antibody-based immunotherapies into the arsenal of treatments for cancer patients has been reinvigorated by antibody engineering technology. New antitumor strategies include enhancement of T-cell responses provided by monoclonal antibody activation of costimulatory molecules present on T-cell surface. OX40, a member of the TNF receptor superfamily (TNRFS4), is a key T-cell costimulator and a promising cancer immunotherapy target. Currently, several pharmaceutical companies have invested in clinical studies using mAb anti-OX40 for cancer and/or autoimmune treatment. In this context, in silico antibodies engineering emerges as a promising approach to develop novel biopharmaceuticals with improved specificity and affinity.