MOC31-PE

MOC31-PE is an antibody-drug conjugate (immunotoxin) composed of the monoclonal antibody MOC31, which targets the epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), covalently linked to Pseudomonas exotoxin A (PE). The drug binds to EpCAM-expressing tumor cells—commonly found in carcinomas such as colorectal and ovarian cancer—and is internalized, whereupon the toxin moiety inhibits protein synthesis by inactivating elongation factor 2. This results in rapid cell death even in chemotherapy-resistant cancer cells. MOC31-PE has been evaluated for intravenous and intraperitoneal administration, particularly for peritoneal metastases from colorectal carcinoma and epithelial ovarian cancer. Clinical trials have demonstrated manageable toxicity profiles with reversible liver enzyme elevations as a dose-limiting effect. The drug is being developed primarily by academic groups at Oslo University Hospital and associated Norwegian research institutions[1][3][4][6].

Other names

anti-EpCAM immunotoxinEpCAM-targeting immunotoxin