Mucin-Targeted Antibodies for Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer remains a leading cause of gynecologic cancer mortality, driven in part by late-stage diagnoses and high recurrence rates. Among emerging molecular targets, mucins-highly glycosylated transmembrane glycoproteins overexpressed and aberrantly glycosylated in epithelial ovarian cancers-have garnered increasing interest for both imaging and therapeutic strategies. This review highlights the expression profiles and clinical implications of key mucins (MUC1, MUC16) and evaluates antibody-based modalities that leverage these targets for enhanced tumor detection and treatment. We discuss the current landscape of therapeutic strategies, including monoclonal antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, bispecific antibodies, and radioimmunotherapy, with emphasis on recent preclinical and clinical advances. We also examine the role of mucin-targeted antibodies in imaging and the integration of theranostic platforms. Key challenges such as antigen heterogeneity, immunogenicity, and tumor penetration are addressed, along with future directions for optimizing mucin-directed therapies. Together, these efforts underscore the ever-expanding potential of mucin-targeted immunotherapy to improve outcomes for patients with ovarian cancer.