recombinant human alpha-fetoprotein

Recombinant human alpha-fetoprotein (rhAFP) is a non-glycosylated recombinant protein produced via transgenic goat expression or other systems, mimicking the fetal serum protein alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). It functions as an immunomodulatory agent with potential anti-inflammatory effects in autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and as a tumor-targeting carrier for insoluble chemotherapeutics due to its binding to AFP receptors (AFPRs) overexpressed on various cancer cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), enabling targeted delivery, NF-κB downregulation, and synergistic cytotoxicity while reducing off-target toxicity. Developed by companies including Merrimack Pharmaceuticals and Alpha Cancer Technologies, it has been tested in preclinical models for cancers such as prostate, lung, and colorectal, and in phase II trials for rheumatoid arthritis, with demonstrated tolerability and preliminary efficacy.

Other names

rhAFPhAFP