Understanding BiTE Immunotherapy: How Bispecific T-Cell Engagers Target Cancer

Bispecific T-cell engager, or BiTE, therapy is an immunotherapy approach that helps the body’s own immune system target cancer cells by bringing immune cells and cancer cells together. In this episode of CancerCast, Dr. Manish Shah is joined by Dr. Mateo Mejia to explain how this form of antibody-based treatment works by directly connecting T cells and cancer cells. It is a new treatment in the arsenal of immunotherapy to treat cancer. They explore common side effects, as well as similarities and differences between BiTEs and other forms of immunotherapy. BiTE immunotherapy prevents cancer cells from being able to hide from the natural immune system, helping it to better recognize and attack the cancer. BiTEs are becoming an important treatment tool for several cancers, including multiple myeloma, lymphoma, lung cancer, and uveal melanoma. Drs. Shah and Mejia discuss the future direction and expansion of BiTE therapy, including ongoing research to bring these treatments to patients earlier in their cancer treatment journeys.

Guest: Mateo Mejia Saldarriaga, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology at Weill Cornell Medicine and an Assistant Attending Physician at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.

Host: Manish Shah, MD, Chief of Solid Tumor Service and Director of Gastrointestinal Oncology at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.