Why is the effect of Zotuximab/Veloximab rated so excellent?

Zolbetuximab (zolbetuximab)-Vyloy has attracted much attention in the field of tumor immunotherapy in recent years. The reason why its efficacy is considered "excellent" is mainly related to its unique target selection and precision treatment strategy. Different from common immune checkpoint inhibitors, the mechanism of action of zotuximab focuses on the mucin family protein CLDN18.2, which is a transmembrane protein specifically expressed in digestive tract tumors such as gastric cancer and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma. In healthy tissue, this protein is expressed at low levels and protected by cellular tight junctions, but is abnormally exposed in tumor cells, making it an ideal target.

It is precisely because of this differential expression that zotuximab can attack tumor cells while minimizing its impact on normal tissues, thereby improving the accuracy and safety of treatment. Its mechanism of action not only includes the elimination of tumor cells through antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC), but also further enhances anti-tumor activity through complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC). This dual mechanism of action allows zotuximab to demonstrate significant efficacy advantages in clinical studies.

Multiple research results have shown that zotuximab can significantly improve disease control rate and patient survival when combined with chemotherapy to treat advanced gastric cancer and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma, and it also shows potential for some drug-resistant populations. Compared with traditional chemotherapy regimens, it is closer to the concept of precision medicine and can provide differentiated treatment for specific molecular marker populations. This compound model of "targeting + immunity" is considered to be the key reason why its efficacy is highly praised.

From a clinical practice perspective, the application of zotuximab has given gastric cancer, a disease with a traditional poor prognosis, a new breakthrough direction. Many people believe that this new type of monoclonal antibody drugs will become another important pillar of treatment after PD-1 inhibitors. Especially in the Eastern population, the incidence of gastric cancer is high and the market demand is huge.

Reference materials:https://www.astellas.com/en/news/29401