Carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 5 and Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (CEA/EpCAM)

Carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 5 (CEACAM5, also known as CEA) is a cell surface glycoprotein that mediates cell-cell adhesion and is highly overexpressed in various carcinomas, particularly colorectal cancer (UniProt P06731). Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM, also known as CD326) is a transmembrane glycoprotein that functions as a homophilic calcium-independent cell adhesion molecule and plays a role in cell signaling, proliferation, and differentiation (UniProt P16422). Both molecules are widely recognized as tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) due to their high expression on the surface of epithelial-derived cancer cells compared to limited expression in normal tissues (PubMed: 22524459). The designation "CEA/EpCAM" typically refers to the simultaneous or dual targeting of these two proteins to improve the sensitivity and specificity of cancer therapies and diagnostics, addressing tumor heterogeneity (PubMed: 30333295). Therapeutic strategies include monoclonal antibodies like labetuzumab (anti-CEA) and catumaxomab (anti-EpCAM/CD3), as well as novel bispecific T-cell engagers and CAR-T therapies (NIH: NCT03502746). While effective as biomarkers for disease progression, therapeutic targeting faces challenges such as on-target off-tumor toxicity in healthy epithelial tissues and potential cytokine release syndrome (PubMed: 31515460). Overall, CEA and EpCAM remain critical focal points in the development of precision oncology treatments for epithelial malignancies.

Other names

CEACAM5CD66eCD326TACSTD1TROP1GA733-2Carcinoembryonic antigenEpithelial cell adhesion molecule

Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), T-cell engagement via bispecific antibodies, and inhibition of cell adhesion and signaling pathways (PubMed: 22524459, PubMed: 30333295).