hepsin inhibitory antibody

Hepsin inhibitory antibodies are a class of experimental monoclonal antibodies designed to selectively inhibit hepsin (encoded by the HPN gene), a type II transmembrane serine protease that is overexpressed in various human cancers, particularly prostate, ovarian, and breast cancers. Hepsin plays a key role in tumor progression, cell proliferation, and metastasis by degrading extracellular matrix components and activating growth factor pathways, including the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta)/EGFR signaling axes. These antibodies, such as the humanized allosteric antibody hH35 (developed by Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München) and the neutralizing antibody Ab25 (developed by Genentech), work by binding to hepsin and blocking its proteolytic activity. By neutralizing hepsin, these investigational biologics suppress tumor cell invasion, proliferation, and metastasis, making them promising therapeutic candidates for hepsin-overexpressing malignancies.

Other names

anti-hepsin antibodyhepsin function-blocking antibodyhepsin neutralizing antibody