What are the functions and efficacy of zotuximab? How does it help treat related conditions?

Zolbetuximab is a monoclonal antibody mainly used to treat gastric cancer, especially those expressing CLDN18.2 (tight junction protein 18.2). Its mechanism of action is by targeting the protein CLDN18.2, thereby inhibiting the growth and spread of tumor cells. CLDN18.2 is expressed in multiple types of epithelial cells, particularly in gastric cancer cells, making zotuximab an effective targeted therapy option against these specific tumor cells.

Zotuximab blocks the signaling pathways of tumor cells by binding to CLDN18.2, thereby inhibiting the proliferation of cancer cells. CLDN18.2 is also expressed in normal cells, but is more pronounced in cancer cells. Therefore, zotuximab can effectively distinguish between normal cells and tumor cells, reduce damage to normal tissues, and reduce side effects during treatment. Through this targeting mechanism, zotuximab can accurately attack cancer cells and exert anti-tumor effects.

In clinical treatment, zotuximab, as a new type of targeted drug, is mainly used in combination with chemotherapy drugs, especially in combination with chemotherapy regimens such as fluorouracil drugs and platinum drugs, which can further improve the efficacy. This combination treatment increases the drug's killing power against cancer cells while slowing the cancer cells' resistance to a single treatment. This makes zotuximab show good therapeutic prospects in the treatment of patients with advanced or metastatic gastric cancer.
In addition, the clinical research results of zotuximab show that its effectiveness and safety in the treatment of gastric cancer have been well verified, especially in patients with CLDN18.2-positive gastric cancer, it has demonstrated significant therapeutic effects. Although the treatment of zotuximab is still in the clinical trial stage, it is considered an important breakthrough in the field of targeted treatment of gastric cancer and is expected to become one of the new standards for the treatment of gastric cancer in the future.
Reference: https://www.astellas.com/en/news/29401