Claudin-targeted drug development using anti-claudin monoclonal antibodies to treat hepatitis and cancer.

Yosuke Hashimoto, Masayoshi Fukasawa, Hiroki Kuniyasu, Kiyohito Yagi, Masuo Kondoh

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 2017 Jun

filter terms:

The 27-member family of tetraspan membrane proteins known as claudins (CLDNs) is a major component of tight junctions. A series of studies elucidating the relationship between CLDNs and various pathological conditions has provided new insights into drug development. For instance, CLDN-1 may be a potent target for epidermal absorption of drugs and for treating hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. CLDN-4 may be a target for treating cancer. Because CLDNs are also expressed in various normal tissues, safety and efficacy evaluations are critical for translational research. We previously developed several anti-CLDN antibodies and have established proof of concept for CLDN-targeted drug development using these reagents. Here, we provide an overview of CLDN-1 as a target for improving epidermal drug absorption and preventing HCV infection and of CLDN-4 as a target for anticancer therapeutics. © 2017 New York Academy of Sciences.

Citation

Yosuke Hashimoto, Masayoshi Fukasawa, Hiroki Kuniyasu, Kiyohito Yagi, Masuo Kondoh. Claudin-targeted drug development using anti-claudin monoclonal antibodies to treat hepatitis and cancer. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 2017 Jun;1397(1):5-16