L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM) CE7 epitope (L1CAM-CE7)

L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM), also known as CD171, is a 200-220 kDa transmembrane glycoprotein belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily that mediates cell-cell adhesion and is vital for nervous system development (UniProt P32004). The CE7 epitope is a specific glycosylation-dependent or conformational site on L1CAM recognized by the CE7 monoclonal antibody, which was originally derived from immunizing mice with human neuroblastoma cells (PubMed: 17406631). While L1CAM is expressed in normal neural tissues and the kidney, the CE7 epitope is highly overexpressed in various malignancies, particularly neuroblastoma, ovarian cancer, and pancreatic cancer (PubMed: 25103811). Therapeutic strategies targeting the CE7 epitope primarily involve chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies, such as the CE7R(v) CAR, which have been evaluated in clinical trials for pediatric patients with recurrent or refractory neuroblastoma (NCT02311611). These therapies aim to induce potent anti-tumor responses by redirecting T-cells to recognize and eliminate L1CAM-positive malignant cells (PubMed: 28232463). However, safety concerns remain regarding potential on-target, off-tumor effects due to L1CAM expression in the central nervous system and kidneys. Despite these risks, the CE7 epitope remains a significant target in the development of novel immunotherapies for high-risk solid tumors.

Other names

CD171L1-CAMNeural cell adhesion molecule L1CAML1Antigen identified by monoclonal antibody CE7HSASMASAMIC5S10

Targeted immunotherapy via CAR T-cell mediated cytotoxicity or antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) against L1CAM-expressing cells.