Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 9, 2026
08:19
Transfer of Manipulated Tumor-associated Neutrophils into Tumor-Bearing Mice to Study their Angiogenic Potential In Vivo
Published on: July 20, 2019
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Nectins: Orchestrating tumor progression and immune evasion.
Rongtao Chen1, Wanyue Chen1, Ruoyu Wang2
1The Key Laboratory of biomarker high throughput screening and target translation of breast and gastrointestinal tumor, Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University, No.6 Jiefang Street, Zhongshan District, Dalian, Liaoning 116001, China; Drug Clinical Trial Center, Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University, No.6 Jiefang Street, Zhongshan District, Dalian, Liaoning 116001, China.
Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology
|November 30, 2025
Summary
Nectins and Nectin-like proteins are key in cancer, driving tumor growth and immune evasion. Targeting these cell adhesion molecules offers promising new cancer therapies by modulating tumors and the immune microenvironment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Nectins and Nectin-like (Necl) proteins are immunoglobulin-like cell adhesion molecules.
- Their expression and function are frequently altered in various cancers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the dual roles of Nectins in cancer: promoting tumor progression and facilitating immune evasion.
- To highlight Nectins as critical therapeutic targets for cancer treatment.
- To discuss recent advances in Nectin-targeted therapies and their clinical potential.
Main Methods:
- Literature review integrating current understanding of Nectin family members.
- Focus on biological functions, immune modulation mechanisms, and therapeutic strategies.
- Analysis of challenges in clinical translation of Nectin-based therapies.
Main Results:
- Nectins promote cancer progression via tumor-intrinsic and microenvironment-mediated pathways.
- Nectins contribute to immune evasion by interacting with checkpoint receptors on lymphocytes.
- Nectin-4-targeted antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), anti-TIGIT immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), and bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) show clinical promise.
Conclusions:
- Nectins play significant roles in both oncogenesis and cancer immunoregulation.
- Targeting Nectins offers a promising strategy for simultaneously modulating tumor biology and the immune microenvironment.
- Further research is needed to overcome challenges in the clinical translation of Nectin-based cancer therapies.
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