Tumor-associated antigen-expressing solid tumor cells (TAA-expressing solid tumor cells)

Tumor-associated antigen (TAA)-expressing solid tumor cells are malignant cells within a solid tissue mass that present specific antigens on their surface, which are either overexpressed or aberrantly expressed compared to normal cells (National Cancer Institute, 2023). These antigens, such as HER2, MUC1, or CEA, serve as critical molecular handles for a variety of therapeutic interventions, including monoclonal antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies (Vigneron, 2015). The biological profile of these cells is typically defined by uncontrolled proliferation, the ability to evade the host immune system, and the potential for metastatic spread to distant organs (Nature Reviews Cancer, 2021). By targeting these specific antigens, therapies aim to selectively eliminate cancer cells while minimizing damage to healthy tissues, a concept central to precision oncology (Labrijn et al., 2019). However, the therapeutic effectiveness can be hindered by the heterogeneous expression of antigens within the tumor and the risk of on-target, off-tumor toxicity if the target antigen is present on essential normal tissues (Martinez & Moon, 2019). Monitoring the presence and density of these antigens is vital for patient stratification and for assessing the efficacy of targeted treatments in clinical settings.

Other names

TAA-positive solid tumor cellsAntigen-bearing malignant cellsTumor-associated antigen-positive cancer cellsTAA-expressing malignant cells

Targeted cell lysis via immune-mediated mechanisms such as antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), direct inhibition of oncogenic signaling pathways, or delivery of cytotoxic payloads via antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs).