Hepatocellular carcinoma-associated antigen (HCA) (HCA)

Hepatocellular carcinoma-associated antigen (HCA), also known as HTA or HCCAT5, is a tumor-specific cell surface protein that is highly overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) but absent in normal liver and other healthy tissues. Identified through bioinformatic screening and experimental validation, HCA serves as both a diagnostic biomarker and a promising therapeutic target for liver cancer. Biologically, HCA promotes the proliferation and colony formation of malignant hepatocytes, specifically by facilitating the transition from the G1 to the S phase of the cell cycle. The human single-chain variable fragment antibody scFv-SA3 was specifically developed to recognize and bind to HCA on the surface of HCC cells. Therapeutic strategies utilizing scFv-SA3 include the development of immunoconjugates, such as ADM-Dex-scFv-SA3, which deliver cytotoxic agents like adriamycin directly to HCC cells, demonstrating potent antitumor activity in preclinical models.

Other names

Hepatoma-associated antigenHepatoma-associated geneHTAHepatocellular carcinoma-associated transcript 5HCCAT5FJ222407

Targeted delivery of cytotoxic agents to hepatocellular carcinoma cells and inhibition of tumor cell proliferation.