IgE interacts with potent effector cells against tumors: ADCC and ADCP

Abstract

We examine the properties of IgE antibodies which may render them effective against tumors. This may be due to the uniquely high affinity of IgE antibodies for their Fc epsilon (Fcε) receptors and the expression of IgE antibodies on potent effector cells. Owing to these properties, IgE antibodies activate effector cell mechanisms that may be different from and stronger than those mediated by antibodies of other classes, thereby inducing superior anti-tumor responses. In examining the potential of IgE-FcεRI complexes on effector cells to activate effector cells (and describe evidence to-date) we suggest that the interactions of IgE antibodies with tumor-associated antigens on tumor cells and Fc receptors on IgE receptor-bearing cells trigger the association of tumor and effector cells. The outcome of these interactions is effector cell activation and effective tumor cell death by a number of mechanisms including antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP). © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2010. All rights reserved.