Targeting Trop2 in solid tumors: a look into structures and novel epitopes

Front Immunol. 2023 Dec 20:14:1332489. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1332489. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

Trophoblast cell surface antigen 2 (Trop2) exhibits limited expression in normal tissues but is over-expressed across various solid tumors. The effectiveness of anti-Trop2 antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) in managing breast cancer validates Trop2 as a promising therapeutic target for cancer treatment. However, excessive toxicity and a low response rate of ADCs pose ongoing challenges. Safer and more effective strategies should be developed for Trop2-positive cancers. The dynamic structural attributes and the oligomeric assembly of Trop2 present formidable obstacles to the progression of innovative targeted therapeutics. In this review, we summarize recent advancements in understanding Trop2's structure and provide an overview of the epitope characteristics of Trop2-targeted agents. Furthermore, we discuss the correlation between anti-Trop2 agents' epitopes and their respective functions, particularly emphasizing their efficacy and specificity in targeted therapies.

Keywords: Trop2; epitopes; structure; targeted therapy; tumor.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, Neoplasm / metabolism
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunoconjugates*
  • Neoplasms* / drug therapy

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • Immunoconjugates

Grants and funding

The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. This study was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province Grants ZR2022QH201 (XL) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China Grants 32300788 (XL).