concholepas concholepas hemocyanin

Concholepas concholepas hemocyanin (CCH) is a large, oligomeric copper-containing glycoprotein purified from the hemolymph of the marine gastropod *Concholepas concholepas*. CCH functions as an oxygen transporter in the mollusk but, when purified, demonstrates strong immunogenic and immunostimulatory properties in mammals. It acts as a potent immunomodulatory agent, promoting both humoral and cellular immune responses, and displays notable antitumor effects in preclinical cancer models, including experimental melanoma and bladder carcinoma[1][2]. CCH is also evaluated as a vaccine adjuvant in animal models, including in fish for aquaculture vaccines, due to its ability to upregulate immune-related genes and protect against infectious diseases[3]. The protein consists of two major subunits (CCHA and CCHB) with distinct structural and biochemical properties[2], both of which contribute to its immunogenicity and therapeutic activity. CCH has been industrially developed under the brand name IMMMUNOCYANIN, primarily by the company Biosonda. Mechanistically, CCH acts as a non-specific immunostimulant, enhancing antigen presentation and cytokine release (e.g. IFN-γ), without known direct antitumor target specificity[1][2][3]. Its principal biomedical uses are as an immunotherapeutic adjuvant and a carrier protein for vaccines and antibody production.

Brand names

IMMMUNOCYANIN

Other names

CCHConcholepas hemocyaninCCH hemocyaninhemocyanin from Concholepas concholepas