Cantuzumab Explained

Cantuzumab is a monoclonal antibody designed for the treatment of cancers. Also known as huC242 it binds the CanAg antigen.^[1] It is typically linked to one of several cytotoxic agents, yielding antibody-drug conjugates :

• Cantuzumab mertansine
• Cantuzumab ravtansine

huC242 targets CanAg

"HuC242 binds to the extracellular domain of the tumor-associated carbohydrate antigen known as CanAg (a novel glycoform of MUC1). CanAg is strongly expressed in most pancreatic, biliary, and colorectal cancers. It is also expressed in a substantial proportion of gastric cancers (55%), uterine cancers (45%), non-small cell lung cancers (40%), and bladder cancers (40%)."^[2]

Notes and References

1. 18301896 . 10.1007/s00280-007-0672-8 . 62 . Cantuzumab mertansine in a three-times a week schedule: a phase I and pharmacokinetic study . 2008 . Cancer Chemother Pharmacol . 911–9 . Rodon . J . Garrison . M . Hammond . LA . de Bono . J . Smith . L . Forero . L . Hao . D . Takimoto . C . Lambert . JM . Pandite . L . Howard . M . Xie . H . Tolcher . AW. 5 . 5829870 .
2. http://clincancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/10/13/4363.full A Phase I Study of Cantuzumab Mertansine Administered as a Single Intravenous Infusion Once Weekly in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors. Helft et al. 2004