Tumor-associated calcium signal transducer 2 (Trop-2) (Trop-2)

Tumor-associated calcium signal transducer 2 (Trop-2) is a 35-kDa type I transmembrane glycoprotein encoded by the TACSTD2 gene [6, 14]. It functions as a cell surface receptor that transduces intracellular calcium signals, playing a critical role in regulating cell proliferation, migration, and survival [4, 11]. While Trop-2 is expressed at low levels in various normal epithelial tissues, it is significantly overexpressed in many solid tumors, including triple-negative breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, and urothelial carcinoma [10, 17]. This overexpression is frequently associated with increased tumor aggressiveness and poor clinical prognosis [11, 13]. Trop-2 has emerged as a prominent therapeutic target, particularly for antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) such as sacituzumab govitecan [1, 12]. These therapies utilize a monoclonal antibody to specifically bind Trop-2, facilitating the internalization of the drug and the subsequent release of a potent cytotoxic payload, such as the topoisomerase I inhibitor SN-38, directly into the cancer cell to induce apoptosis [3, 9].

Other names

TACSTD2Trophoblast cell-surface antigen 2GA733-1M1S1EGP-1Epithelial glycoprotein-1Pancreatic carcinoma marker protein GA733-1

Antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) targeting Trop-2, leading to internalization and release of a cytotoxic topoisomerase I inhibitor payload (e.g., SN-38), which induces DNA damage and apoptosis [1, 3, 9].