Monalizumab is a novel immune checkpoint inhibitor targeting natural killer cell population 2A (NKG2A). Monalizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody against NKG2A that induces IFN-γ production, thereby activating natural killer cell function. Monalizumab has antitumor activity and can be used to study neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

NK cells were incubated with monalizumab (1μg/mL) at 4°C for 30 minutes, followed by detection of total surface NKG2A using anti-human IgG4 (Fc)-PE. The results showed that monalizumab enhances the anti-tumor activity of human NK cells[1].

Mice were intravenously injected with 200 μg of monalizumab, with an interval of 3-4 days, followed by intraperitoneal injection of 200 μg of RMP1-14. The results showed that monalizumab and RMP1-14 have synergistic effects in preclinical mouse tumor models[1].