Carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 6 (CEACAM6) (CEACAM6)

Carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 6 (CEACAM6), also known as CD66c or NCA-90, is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored cell surface glycoprotein belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily and the CEA family [UniProt](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprotkb/P40199/entry). It is primarily expressed on the surface of epithelial cells and myeloid cells, where it mediates homotypic and heterotypic cell-cell adhesion through interactions with other CEACAMs and integrins [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38796667/). In normal physiology, CEACAM6 plays a role in organizing tissue architecture and modulating immune responses [NCBI](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/4680). However, it is significantly overexpressed in various malignancies, including pancreatic, colorectal, lung, and breast cancers, where it promotes tumor progression by inhibiting apoptosis (anoikis resistance), facilitating invasion and metastasis, and inducing chemoresistance [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27595061/). CEACAM6 also acts as a receptor for several bacterial and viral pathogens, including adherent-invasive E. coli in Crohn's disease [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16204051/). As a therapeutic target, CEACAM6 is being explored through monoclonal antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), and immune checkpoint inhibitors [ClinicalTrials.gov](https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05701527). While Sulesomab is an approved imaging agent targeting CEACAM6, therapeutic candidates like tinurilimab and EBC-129 have entered clinical trials, though challenges remain regarding off-target effects on normal tissues such as neutrophils and lung pneumocytes [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40465170/).

Other names

CD66cNCANCA-50/90CEALNon-specific cross-reacting antigenCluster of differentiation 66c

Inhibition of cell-cell adhesion and migration, induction of apoptosis (anoikis), blocking of Src/FAK/Akt signaling, immune checkpoint inhibition (CEACAM6-CEACAM1 blockade), and targeted delivery of cytotoxic payloads (ADCs) [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27595061/), [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38796667/).