Hepatoma-associated antigen HTA (HTA)

The Hepatoma-associated antigen HTA (also known as Hepatocellular carcinoma-associated antigen or HCA) is a novel tumor-associated cell surface protein that is specifically overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Identified through bioinformatic screening and the development of the human single-chain variable fragment (scFv) antibody SA3, HTA plays a significant role in promoting the proliferation, colony formation, and cell cycle progression of malignant hepatocytes. Its expression is highly restricted to HCC and certain other tumor types, with negligible presence in normal liver and other healthy tissues, making it a highly specific target for both diagnostic imaging and targeted therapy. The scFv-SA3 antibody has been utilized to develop experimental therapeutic agents, such as the immunoconjugate ADM-Dex-scFv-SA3, which delivers the cytotoxic drug adriamycin directly to tumor cells, and "fluobodies" (e.g., EGFP-SA3) for in vivo tumor localization. Targeting HTA represents a promising strategy for improving the therapeutic index of HCC treatments by enhancing tumor-specific drug delivery while minimizing systemic toxicity.

Other names

Hepatocellular carcinoma-associated cell surface antigen recognized by scFv-SA3Hepatoma-associated antigenHepatocellular carcinoma-associated antigenHCAHepatocellular carcinoma-associated transcript 5HCCAT5

Targeted delivery of cytotoxic agents to hepatocellular carcinoma cells