Work

Advances in antibody-based strategies for targeting cancer-associated glycopeptide antigens

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: • Tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens (TACAs) are promising cancer targets. • Targeting TACA–peptide epitopes improves tumor specificity and reduces toxicity. • Advances in glycoengineering accelerate discovery of anti-TACA antibodies. • Emerging modalities include ADCs, RICs, CAR-T, and CAR-NK therapies. • Structural insights guide rational design of next-generation TACA therapeutics. The development of tumor-targeting antibodies has progressed tremendously over the past few decades, yet improving tumor selectivity and efficacy remains a challenge. Among tumor-associated antigens, tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens (TACAs) have emerged as critical immunological targets because of their overexpression in malignant cells. However, the weak immunogenicity and structural homogeneity of carbohydrates pose obstacles for therapeutic antibody development. By designing antibodies to recognize epitopes that span both TACAs and adjacent amino acid residues on tumor glycoprotein surfaces, researchers can achieve higher specificity and functional efficacy while lowering on-target off-tumor related toxicities.

Source: Drug Discovery Today

DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2025.104507

Authors: Edward P.W. Meier, Andreas H. Laustsen

Institution: Technical University of Denmark

Language: English

Topic: Glycosylation and Glycoproteins Research

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,720