Tumor-specific extracellular ribonucleoprotein complex (ts-eRNP) (ts-eRNP)

The Tumor-specific extracellular ribonucleoprotein complex (ts-eRNP) is a specialized molecular assembly found on the surface of various malignant cells, serving as a distinctive marker for solid tumors such as choroidal melanoma and bladder cancer (Aura Biosciences, 2023). This complex is composed of proteins and RNA molecules that are uniquely presented or modified in the tumor microenvironment, providing a high-affinity docking site for therapeutic agents (Kines et al., 2016). It is the primary target for a class of therapies known as virus-like drug conjugates (VDCs), which utilize the complex to achieve selective binding to cancerous tissues while sparing healthy cells. Once bound to the ts-eRNP, these conjugates can be activated by specific wavelengths of light to induce rapid tumor cell lysis and stimulate a systemic anti-tumor immune response (Aura Biosciences, 2023). The discovery and targeting of the ts-eRNP represent a novel approach in precision oncology, focusing on the unique structural features of the tumor cell surface.

Other names

ts-eRNPTumor-specific ribonucleoprotein complexTumor-associated extracellular RNPTumor-specific heparan sulfate proteoglycan complex

Targeted binding of virus-like drug conjugates (VDCs) followed by light-induced activation to cause immunogenic cell death.