Human chorionic gonadotropin beta subunit carboxy-terminal peptide (hCGβ-CTP) (hCGβ-CTP)

Human chorionic gonadotropin beta subunit carboxy-terminal peptide (hCGβ-CTP) is a unique 34-amino acid sequence (residues 112–145) located at the C-terminus of the beta subunit of hCG (UniProt: P01233). While the core of the hCG molecule shares structural homology with other glycoprotein hormones like luteinizing hormone (LH), the CTP is unique to hCG, making it a highly specific target for immunotherapy and diagnostics (PubMed: 16849601). In oncology, hCGβ is frequently expressed ectopically by various epithelial cancers and germ cell tumors, where it functions as an autocrine growth factor and helps the tumor evade immune detection (PubMed: 21833114). Therapeutic approaches targeting hCGβ-CTP primarily involve the development of cancer vaccines, such as hCG-CTP conjugated to diphtheria toxoid (CTP-DT) or other carrier proteins. These vaccines aim to stimulate the production of antibodies that neutralize the biological activity of hCG and mediate the destruction of hCG-secreting tumor cells (PubMed: 10411141). Clinical studies have demonstrated that targeting these epitopes can be safe, though the challenge remains in maintaining high enough antibody titers to achieve significant anti-tumor efficacy (PubMed: 16849601).

Other names

hCG-CTPC-terminal peptide of beta-hCGhCG beta C-terminal extensionCTP-hCGhCG beta subunit carboxy-terminal peptide

Induction of a humoral immune response to produce antibodies that neutralize the biological activity of hCG and facilitate antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity against hCG-expressing tumor cells