Tumor-associated antigen (TAA) and T-cell surface glycoprotein CD3 epsilon chain (CD3E) (CD3 x TAA)

This target refers to the dual engagement of the T-cell surface glycoprotein CD3 epsilon chain and a tumor-associated antigen (TAA) by bispecific antibodies or T-cell engagers. The CD3 epsilon chain is a vital component of the T-cell receptor (TCR) complex, responsible for transmitting activation signals to the T cell upon antigen binding (UniProt P07766). In this therapeutic context, one arm of a bispecific molecule binds to CD3, while the other binds to a TAA on the surface of a cancer cell, effectively bypassing the requirement for MHC-restricted antigen presentation (Labrijn et al., Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, 2019). This physical proximity induces the formation of a cytolytic synapse, leading to T-cell activation, the release of perforins and granzymes, and subsequent tumor cell lysis. This mechanism is a cornerstone of modern immuno-oncology, particularly for treating hematologic malignancies and increasingly solid tumors. However, the potent activation of T cells can lead to significant systemic toxicities, most notably cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) (Shimabukuro-Vornhagen et al., Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer, 2018).

Other names

CD3-TAA bispecific targetT-cell engager targetT-cell redirecting bispecific targetBiTE target

Redirected T-cell cytotoxicity via simultaneous binding of CD3 and a tumor-associated antigen.