Improving T-cell engager efficacy in glioblastoma with multi-antigen targeting and novel delivery approaches
Glioblastoma remains a challenging disease to approach with immunotherapy due to pronounced antigen heterogeneity, immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, and barriers to effective molecule delivery within the central nervous system. T-cell engagers provide an off-the-shelf approach to redirect endogenous T cells toward tumor cells. However, bispecific formats are constrained by intra- and interpatient antigen heterogeneity, which can limit therapeutic efficacy. In this review, we examine trispecific T-cell engagers (TriTEs) as an emerging strategy to address this limitation by simultaneously targeting multiple tumor-associated antigens. We discuss principles guiding antigen selection in glioblastoma, summarize available preclinical evidence supporting multispecific engagement, and outline key design considerations, including molecular architecture, stability, half-life extension, and safety optimization. We further review delivery strategies, such as gene-encoded expression, cellular carriers, and blood-brain barrier modulation, that may improve tumor access and the durability of TriTEs. Together, these considerations position TriTEs as a modular immunotherapy platform relevant to glioblastoma and other heterogeneous solid tumors.
Authors
- Kristen D. Pawlowski (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2497-4497)
- Arushi Tiwari
- Irina V. Balyasnikova
Institutions
- Northwestern University (US)
- University of Michigan (US)
- Michigan Medicine (US)
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University
Publication Details
- Journal
- Acta Neuropathologica
- Published
- 2026-08-03
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s00401-026-03063-w
- Primary Topic
- Monoclonal and Polyclonal Antibodies Research
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- National Institutes of Health