NCIt definition : A protease-activated, masked T-cell engager (TCE) composed of a prostate-specific
membrane antigen (PSMA)-binding domain and a CD3-binding domain conjugated, via a
tumor protease-cleavable linker, to a peptide mask that prevents CD3 engagement on
T-cells and an albumin-binding domain that extends circulating half-life, with potential
immunomodulating and antineoplastic activities. Upon intravenous administration of
anti-PSMA/CD3 protease-activated TCE JANX007, the tumor protease-cleavable linker
is proteolytically cleaved in the tumor microenvironment (TME), which separates the
active PSMA-targeted TCE from the peptide mask and the albumin-binding domain. The
PSMA-binding domain targets and binds to PSMA expressed on tumor cells. The CD3-binding
domain targets and binds to T-cells. The resulting cross-linkage may trigger a potent
cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response against PSMA-expressing tumor cells in the TME.
PSMA, a tumor-associated antigen (TAA) and type II transmembrane protein, is expressed
on the membrane of prostatic epithelial cells and overexpressed on prostate tumor
cells as well as a variety of other solid tumors. The peptide mask allows specific
activation of JANX007 in the TME, thereby minimizing systemic toxicity and increasing
efficacy.;
Semantic type(s)