**Background of CEA Antibodies**
Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), a glycoprotein belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily, was first identified in 1965 as a tumor-associated antigen in colorectal cancer. It is overexpressed in many epithelial-derived cancers, including gastrointestinal, lung, and breast cancers, as well as in certain nonmalignant conditions (e.g., inflammation). CEA plays roles in cell adhesion, immune modulation, and metastasis, though its exact physiological functions remain under study.
CEA antibodies are immunoglobulins designed to specifically bind CEA, enabling its detection and quantification. In diagnostics, CEA antibodies are widely used in immunoassays (e.g., ELISA, immunohistochemistry) to measure serum CEA levels, aiding cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring of recurrence. Elevated CEA levels correlate with tumor burden and treatment response.
Therapeutically, anti-CEA monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have been explored for targeted cancer therapy. Engineered mAbs, such as antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) or radioimmunotherapy agents, aim to deliver cytotoxic payloads directly to CEA-expressing tumors, minimizing systemic toxicity. Additionally, CEA antibodies are utilized in imaging techniques (e.g., immuno-PET) to localize tumors and metastases.
Despite clinical utility, challenges include CEA's expression in normal tissues and non-specific elevation in benign conditions, affecting specificity. Ongoing research focuses on improving antibody affinity, developing bispecific antibodies, and combining CEA-targeting strategies with immunotherapies to enhance precision and efficacy in oncology.