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Advances and perspectives in CEA-targeted therapies: From classic biomarker toward actionable therapeutic target

Liangjie Sun1, Guo Zhao1, Jiawei Zhou1

  • 1Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China; Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Langfang Campus, Langfang 065001, China.

Med (New York, N.Y.)
|February 6, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a tumor biomarker for epithelial cancers. This review explores CEA-targeted therapies, including antibody-drug conjugates and CAR T-cells, to overcome challenges and improve patient outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Immunotherapy
  • Drug Development

Background:

  • Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a well-established tumor biomarker for epithelial malignancies.
  • CEA's restricted tumor expression and role in cellular adhesion make it a promising therapeutic target.
  • Challenges have historically hindered the translation of CEA into effective therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive review of CEA-targeted therapies.
  • To delineate the landscape and evaluate the prospects of various CEA-targeted drug modalities.
  • To identify and propose strategies to overcome challenges in CEA-targeted therapy development.

Main Methods:

  • Leveraged peer-reviewed literature and global pharmaceutical data.
  • Reviewed antibody-drug conjugates, chimeric antigen receptor T cells, bispecific antibodies, vaccines, and radionuclide conjugates.
  • Dissected underlying mechanisms of challenges in CEA-targeted therapies.

Main Results:

  • Identified diverse CEA-targeted drug modalities with therapeutic potential.
  • Highlighted significant challenges impeding the clinical translation of these therapies.
  • Proposed innovative strategies to address identified obstacles.

Conclusions:

  • CEA holds significant promise as a therapeutic target beyond its diagnostic role.
  • Overcoming specific challenges is crucial for advancing CEA-targeted therapies.
  • This review aims to facilitate CEA's transition to a viable therapeutic target for improved patient outcomes in CEA-expressing cancers.
Keywords:
CEAdrug developmenttherapeutic targetstumor biomarkertumorigenic mechanism

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