Explore CEA CD3

Simultaneous binding of CEA on tumor cells and CD3 on T cells activates T cells, resulting in T-cell–mediated tumor killing

CEA: a tumor surface antigen

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a cell-surface protein that mediates intracellular adhesion.¹

• CEA is expressed at low levels on the apical surface of normal epithelial tissues in a polarized expression pattern not accessible by therapeutic antibodies²
• In cancer, CEA bridges healthy cells and tumor cells, which may play a role in metastasis³
• CEA is highly expressed in multiple tumor types, including colorectal, gastric, pancreatic, non-small cell lung, breast, and other cancers^1,4,5

CD3: a T-cell activator

CD3 (cluster of differentiation 3) is a multimeric protein composed of 4 subunits (γ, δ, ε, ζ), which are part of the T-cell receptor complex on the surface of T cells.⁶

• Engagement of CD3 induces downstream signaling events that result in T-cell activation

Potential of simultaneous binding of CEA and CD3

Binding of a T-cell bispecific antibody to CEA on tumor cells and CD3 on T cells engages T cells and redirects their activity against tumor cells. T-cell activation—a result of the CEA-CD3 interaction—promotes the proliferation/expansion of pre-existing T cells and the recruitment of new T cells from the peripheral blood to the tumor microenvironment, which may further contribute to antitumor activity.²

• In preclinical models, binding of T-cell bispecific antibodies to CEA and CD3 induced tumor regression through T-cell proliferation at tumor sites and recruitment of new T-cells to the tumor bed^7,8