New Antibody Therapy 77A Shows Promise Against Blood and Solid Cancers

A novel investigational therapy named 77A, developed by researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, has demonstrated significant potential in enhancing the immune response against various blood cancers and solid tumors. This breakthrough was presented on December 6, 2025, during the 67th Annual Meeting and Exposition of the American Society of Hematology (ASH).

Led by Jun Wei, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of Lymphoma & Myeloma, and Robert Z. Orlowski, M.D., Ph.D., professor of Lymphoma & Myeloma, the study highlights how 77A effectively targets a cancer survival protein known as HSP70. By converting HSP70 into an immune system trigger, the therapy activates T cells and natural killer (NK) cells, which can reshape the tumor environment and promote long-lasting immune responses.

In laboratory models, 77A has shown promise in overcoming treatment resistance, particularly in blood cancers like myeloma and lymphoma, as well as in solid tumors. The antibody significantly boosted the effectiveness of existing treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapies.

Mechanism of Action

The mechanism behind 77A’s effectiveness lies in its ability to target HSP70, a heat shock protein that is often overproduced in certain cancers. This protein helps tumors evade immune detection by suppressing immune responses and promoting cancer cell survival. In laboratory studies, 77A enhanced the activity of both innate and adaptive immune cells, significantly improving their capability to identify and destroy cancer cells.

Moreover, the therapy has shown compatibility with various treatment modalities. It enhances the effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy and has potential applications in combination with immune checkpoint blockade and adoptive T cell therapy. This multifaceted approach indicates the versatility of 77A as a therapeutic option.

Future Directions and Clinical Trials

Encouraging early results from laboratory models have paved the way for the next steps in research. Initial tests conducted with human immune cells indicated that 77A could bolster immune responses in healthy donors. This finding suggests that the therapy has the potential to be developed into a new treatment option for patients.

Robert Z. Orlowski expressed optimism regarding the findings, stating, “These results give us confidence that 77A could become a versatile immunotherapy. Our next step is to advance a humanized version of this antibody into clinical trials to evaluate its potential in patients across multiple cancer types.”

The humanized version of the 77A antibody is currently under development, and preparations for clinical trials are underway. This advancement could mark a significant step forward in the ongoing battle against cancer, providing new hope for patients facing challenging diagnoses.

The study received support from Blood Cancer United, previously known as the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. For more information on MD Anderson’s contributions to ASH, please visit their website.