Scope of nanobodies in hepatopancreatobiliary oncology

Authors

• Upendra Nayek, The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyFollow
• Tusha Sharma, The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyFollow
• Vivek K. Kashyap, The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyFollow
• Shrikanth Gadad, The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyFollow
• Murali Yallapu, The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyFollow
• Everardo Cobos, The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyFollow
• Subhash Chauhan, The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-10-2026

Abstract

Hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) cancers remain among the most aggressive malignancies. Nanobodies are single-domain antibodies derived from camelid heavy-chain-only immunoglobulins. They offer distinct advantages, including small size, stability, and high antigen affinity, enabling superior tumor penetration and specificity. Emerging nanobody-drug conjugates, bispecific constructs, radiolabeled probes, and nanobody-functionalized nanoparticle platforms have shown promising preclinical outcomes in HPB cancers. Thus, this review summarizes recent advances in nanobody engineering, focusing on approaches to improve pharmacokinetics, enhance tumor penetration, enhance therapeutic performance, and modulate the tumor microenvironment. This article also addresses key challenges in the clinical translation and large-scale production of nanobodies for precise diagnosis and treatment applications in HPB oncology.

Comments

Original published version available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drudis.2026.104666

Recommended Citation

Nayek, U., Sharma, T., Kashyap, V. K., Gadad, S., Yallapu, M. M., Cobos, E., & Chauhan, S. C. (2026). Scope of nanobodies in hepatopancreatobiliary oncology. Drug discovery today, 104666. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drudis.2026.104666    

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.

Publication Title

Drug Discovery Today

DOI

10.1016/j.drudis.2026.104666

Academic Level

faculty

Mentor/PI Department

Immunology and Microbiology