Zhou Xinsheng, Liu Yixin, Liu Xuan, Song Xu, Li Sijie, Chen Peng, Jiang Xiaotao, Li Yongyin
Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University; State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Prevention and Control of Major Liver Diseases, Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases Research in South China (Southern Medical University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China.
Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
Invest New Drugs. 2025 May 1. doi: 10.1007/s10637-025-01530-x.
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with poor prognosis and limited treatment options, particularly in advanced stages. Glypican-3 (GPC3) has emerged as a promising therapeutic target, but existing antibodies primarily bind its C-terminal region, where glycosylation can mask epitopes and compromise efficacy. To address this limitation, we focused on the GPC3 N-terminal region, which offers better accessibility and potential for tumor signaling regulation. We developed Pro-12, a high-affinity humanized IgG1 antibody targeting the 25-45 peptide of the GPC3 N-terminus, avoiding glycosylation interference while modulating tumor pathways. Building on Pro-12, we engineered a GPC3/CD3 bispecific antibody (BsAb) using CrossMab and Knob-into-Hole technologies. This BsAb demonstrated dual anti-tumor effects by activating immune cells and inhibiting both the Wnt/β-catenin and PI3K/AKT pathways, achieving outcomes typically requiring tri-specific antibodies. Our findings highlight the GPC3 N-terminal region as a novel therapeutic target and introduce a promising bispecific antibody approach for the treatment of GPC3-positive HCC.
Invest New Drugs. 2025-5-1
J Cancer Res Clin Oncol. 2021-2
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