Recent development in bispecific antibody immunotherapy for hematological malignancies

While monoclonal antibody (mAb)-based therapies have revolutionized cancer treatment, challenges such as resistance mechanisms and tumor progression via alternative pathways underscore the need for novel therapeutic strategies. Bispecific antibodies (BsAbs), which target two distinct antigens simultaneously, represent a promising next-generation solution, improving therapeutic precision, efficacy, and safety. BsAbs also redirect cytotoxic effector cells to tumor sites, providing additional therapeutic mechanisms. Recent advancements in BsAb design, such as enhancements in pharmacokinetics and modular multi-specific formats, are expanding their use in hematological malignancies. Combining BsAbs with immune checkpoint inhibitors and other therapies may overcome resistance and improve clinical outcomes. Leading BsAbs, including mosunetuzumab, glofitamab, and blinatumomab, have demonstrated promising efficacy in clinical trials for leukemia and lymphoma subtypes. Despite remaining challenges, particularly in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), ongoing research into new targets and combination therapies is expected to enhance the efficacy of BsAbs in relapsed or refractory (R/R) disease. This review explores the structural and functional innovations of BsAbs, the challenges in current therapies, and their transformative potential in hematological malignancy immunotherapy.