Claudin proteins as emerging therapeutic targets for solid tumours - PubMed
6 hours ago
- #Claudin proteins
- #Solid tumors
- #Precision oncology
- Claudin (CLDN) proteins are transmembrane proteins essential for epithelial cell polarity and tight junction integrity in healthy tissues.
- CLDNs are frequently overexpressed in solid tumors, correlating with tumor subtype, grade, and prognosis.
- Dysregulated CLDN expression influences oncogenic signaling, tumor proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, stemness, fibrosis, immune modulation, and therapeutic resistance.
- Due to their overexpression and functional role in cancer, CLDNs are emerging as promising therapeutic targets.
- Surface expression of CLDNs can be exploited for targeted therapies, such as monoclonal antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, bispecific/trispecific antibodies, and CAR T cells.
- A monoclonal antibody targeting CLDN18.2 has received clinical approval, validating CLDN-directed therapeutic approaches.
- Targeting intracellular CLDN domains or downstream signaling may offer additional therapeutic opportunities.
- The review discusses CLDN biology in solid tumors, ongoing clinical developments, and biomarker-enriched patient selection strategies.
- CLDN targeting is highlighted as a precision oncology approach applicable to multiple solid tumors.