Stromal cell surface antigen (SCSA)

Stromal cell surface antigens represent a broad category of proteins expressed on the plasma membrane of non-parenchymal cells, such as fibroblasts, mesenchymal stem cells, and pericytes, which form the structural framework of tissues. These antigens, including fibroblast activation protein (FAP), endoglin (CD105), and STRO-1, play essential roles in cell-matrix interactions, tissue repair, and the regulation of the local immune environment. In various diseases, particularly solid tumors and chronic inflammatory conditions, these antigens are often upregulated on activated stromal cells, such as cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), where they facilitate disease progression by promoting angiogenesis and immunosuppression. Consequently, they have become attractive targets for therapeutic intervention using monoclonal antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, and CAR-T cell therapies designed to modulate or deplete the supportive stroma. However, the presence of these antigens on healthy stromal populations poses significant challenges for drug development, requiring strategies to minimize off-target effects like impaired wound healing or systemic toxicity.

Other names

Cancer-associated stromal cell surface antigensCASCStromal markersMesenchymal stromal cell surface markersBone marrow stromal cell antigens

Targeted depletion of stromal cells or inhibition of their supportive functions in the tissue microenvironment.