Cell surface antigens for targeted cell delivery

Cell surface antigens for targeted cell delivery represent a broad class of proteins, glycoproteins, or polysaccharides expressed on the exterior of cell membranes that serve as specific docking sites for therapeutic agents (Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, 2021). These antigens are selected based on their differential expression between diseased cells and healthy tissues to maximize the therapeutic index (PubMed, PMID: 32810127). Common examples include receptors like Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) and Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2), or cluster of differentiation (CD) markers like CD19 and CD20 (NIH, National Cancer Institute). Upon binding by a targeted vehicle—such as an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), nanoparticle, or engineered chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell—these antigens often facilitate the internalization of the therapeutic payload via receptor-mediated endocytosis (StatPearls, Targeted Drug Delivery). Their role is critical in precision medicine, allowing for the localized delivery of cytotoxic drugs, genetic material, or imaging probes directly to the site of disease while minimizing systemic side effects (Journal of Controlled Release, 2020).

Other names

Cell surface markersTargeted delivery antigensSurface receptors for drug deliveryTumor-associated antigensMembrane-bound antigens

Targeted delivery via antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), ligand-mediated endocytosis, or chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell recognition.