CEACAM21 (Carcinoembryonic Antigen-Related Cell Adhesion Molecule 21) is a member of the CEACAM family, a group of glycoproteins involved in intercellular adhesion, immune regulation, and signaling. Primarily expressed in neuroendocrine tissues and certain epithelial cells, CEACAM21 is implicated in cell adhesion, differentiation, and tumor microenvironment modulation. Its structure includes an immunoglobulin-variable (IgV)-like domain, which facilitates interactions with other CEACAM family members or ligands, influencing cellular responses such as apoptosis and immune evasion.
Antibodies targeting CEACAM21 have gained attention for their potential diagnostic and therapeutic applications. In research, these antibodies are used to study CEACAM21's role in cancers, particularly neuroendocrine tumors (e.g., pancreatic, lung) and gastrointestinal malignancies, where its overexpression may correlate with tumor progression or metastasis. Additionally, CEACAM21 antibodies serve as tools for immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, and Western blotting to map tissue-specific expression patterns.
Therapeutic interest lies in developing CEACAM21-directed monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for targeted cancer therapies, either as standalone agents or conjugated to drugs/radionuclides. Challenges include optimizing antibody specificity to avoid cross-reactivity with other CEACAMs and elucidating its precise mechanistic roles in disease. Current studies also explore its utility as a biomarker for early cancer detection or monitoring treatment response. Further validation is needed to translate these findings into clinical applications.