The CEACAM5 antibody targets CEACAM5 (Carcinoembryonic Antigen-Related Cell Adhesion Molecule 5), a glycosylated cell surface protein belonging to the CEACAM family. Originally identified as an oncofetal antigen, CEACAM5 is minimally expressed in healthy adult tissues but overexpressed in various cancers, including colorectal, gastric, pancreatic, and lung adenocarcinomas. Its physiological roles involve cell-cell adhesion, immune modulation, and intracellular signaling, though its aberrant expression in malignancies is linked to tumor progression, metastasis, and immune evasion.
CEACAM5 antibodies are primarily utilized in diagnostics and therapeutics. In diagnostics, they serve as immunohistochemical or serological markers to detect CEACAM5 in tumor biopsies or blood, aiding cancer diagnosis, staging, and monitoring. Therapeutically, CEACAM5-targeting monoclonal antibodies (e.g., labetuzumab) or antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are explored to deliver cytotoxic agents directly to CEACAM5-positive cancer cells. Additionally, bispecific antibodies engaging T cells (e.g., CEACAM5xCD3) are under investigation to enhance antitumor immunity.
Despite promise, challenges include heterogeneous CEACAM5 expression across tumors and potential on-target toxicity due to low-level expression in normal tissues. Ongoing research aims to refine antibody specificity, optimize delivery platforms, and expand clinical applications, positioning CEACAM5 as a pivotal biomarker and therapeutic target in oncology.