WFDC2-targeting antisense oligonucleotide

WFDC2-targeting antisense oligonucleotide (WFDC2-ASO) is an investigational antisense oligonucleotide designed to target and suppress the expression of WAP Four-Disulfide Core Domain 2 (WFDC2), also known as Human Epididymis Protein 4 (HE4). WFDC2 is a secreted glycoprotein that is highly overexpressed in various cancers, including gastric cancer, ovarian cancer, and cholangiocarcinoma, as well as in fibrotic diseases such as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) liver fibrosis. In gastric cancer, WFDC2 promotes tumor cell growth, survival, and metaplastic lineage progression (such as spasmolytic polypeptide-expressing metaplasia, or SPEM) by activating the JAK/STAT signaling pathway, particularly through the phosphorylation of STAT3. Systemic administration of WFDC2-ASO has demonstrated significant anti-tumor efficacy in preclinical subcutaneous xenograft models of gastric cancer and has been shown to suppress liver fibrosis in MASH models. The drug is being developed by Qmine Co., Ltd. and has also been investigated by academic researchers at Yonsei University College of Medicine.

Other names

HE4 ASOHE-4 ASOHE 4 ASOHE4-targeting antisense oligonucleotideHE-4-targeting antisense oligonucleotideHE 4-targeting antisense oligonucleotideWFDC2 ASOWFDC-2 ASOWFDC 2 ASOWFDC2-ASOWFDC-2-ASOWFDC 2-ASO