Hepatocellular carcinoma surface antigen (TLS11a target) (TLS11a target)

The TLS11a hepatocellular carcinoma surface antigen is a membrane-bound protein specifically overexpressed on the surface of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells, originally identified through Cell-SELEX using the LH86 human hepatoma cell line. While its exact molecular identity was long considered undefined, recent proteomic studies have linked the TLS11a aptamer's binding to surface-expressed vimentin, a marker typically associated with the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and increased metastatic potential in liver cancer. This antigen serves as a high-affinity docking site for the TLS11a DNA aptamer, which exhibits a dissociation constant (Kd) in the low nanomolar range and facilitates rapid internalization into target cells via receptor-mediated endocytosis. In therapeutic development, this surface antigen is utilized as a target for precision drug delivery, including aptamer-drug conjugates (e.g., TLS11a-doxorubicin) and bispecific T-cell engagers that redirect immune effectors to lyse HCC cells. Beyond therapy, it is a significant biomarker for the sensitive detection of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and for molecular imaging of liver malignancies. Its high specificity for cancerous versus normal hepatocytes makes it an attractive target for reducing the systemic toxicity of conventional chemotherapeutics.

Other names

TLS11a antigenLH86 surface antigenHepatoma-specific surface proteinVimentin (surface-expressed)

Targeted delivery of cytotoxic agents via receptor-mediated endocytosis; recruitment of T cells via bispecific aptamer-antibody systems.