The emergence of AntibodyPlus: the future trend of antibody-based therapeutics

Abstract To date, close to 100 canonical monoclonal antibody drugs have been approved by the FDA; furthermore, a number of antibody-derived therapeutics in nontraditional formats have reached late development stages and the market, and many more are being evaluated in early-stage development. To better reflect this trend and to set up a framework for forward thinking, we herein introduce the concept of AntibodyPlus, embracing any therapeutics with an antibody component. AntibodyPlus therapeutics contain effector modules, in the form of small molecules, nucleic acids, proteins or even cells, to enhance their therapeutic activities against cancer, virus infection and other diseases. In this short review, we discuss historic perspective and current status of therapeutic antibody development, and the scope and categories of AntibodyPlus therapeutics along with their advantages, applications and challenges. We also present several examples that highlight their design principles, potentials and future trends. With more nontraditional antibody-based or antibody-containing therapeutics emerging from late-stage development into the market, we herein formally introduce the all-embracing concept of AntibodyPlus and discussed its scope, advantages and applications, setting up a foundation for further discussion in the field and to inspire more innovative strategies in developing antibody therapeutics.