EpCAM x CD3

Class

EpCAM/CD3 bispecific T-cell-engaging antibody (recombinant human-mouse chimeric)

Pathway

simultaneously binds EpCAM on tumor cells and CD3 on T cells to redirect T-cell cytotoxicity, delivered by intraperitoneal/intrapleural infusion for malignant ascites/pleural effusion from EpCAM-expressing solid tumors (including NSCLC)

EpCAM (epithelial cell adhesion molecule) is a surface protein expressed at high density on many carcinomas of epithelial origin, including lung, ovarian, and gastrointestinal cancers, while being present at lower levels on normal epithelial tissue. CD3 is a signaling component of the T-cell receptor complex present on essentially all T lymphocytes. A bispecific antibody engaging both targets physically links a tumor cell to a T cell by binding EpCAM on one arm and CD3 on the other, forcing an immune synapse to form regardless of whether the T cell would normally recognize that tumor as foreign. This bypasses the need for tumor antigen presentation through the major histocompatibility complex, a step many tumors exploit to evade immune detection, and instead drives direct, non-specific T-cell cytotoxic activity against any EpCAM-positive cell nearby. This mechanism is broadly relevant wherever solid tumors overexpress EpCAM, and is particularly suited to local, cavity-confined disease such as malignant ascites or pleural effusion, where tumor cells shed into fluid can be targeted directly at the site of accumulation rather than requiring systemic drug distribution.