drug_type
RELEVANT_DRUG
intervention_type
biologic protein (Engineered Toxin Body)
drug_description
Engineered Toxin Body biologic protein that binds CTLA-4 and delivers a toxin-based kill signal to selectively deplete CTLA-4–expressing cells (e.g., regulatory T cells) within tumors to dismantle the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment.
nci_thesaurus_concept_id
C201568
nci_thesaurus_preferred_term
Engineered Toxin Body Targeting CTLA-4 MT-8421
nci_thesaurus_definition
An engineered toxin body (ETB) composed of biparatopic heavy chain variable domains (VHHs) targeting the human T-cell-expressed receptor cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4; CTLA4; CD152), fused to the enzymatically active, de-immunized, ribosome-inactivating cytotoxic payload Shiga-like toxin-A subunit (SLTA), with potential immune checkpoint inhibitory and antineoplastic activities. Upon administration of ETB targeting CTLA-4 MT-8421, the antibody fragments specifically target and bind to two non-overlapping epitopes on CTLA-4-expressing T regulatory cells (Tregs) in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Upon internalization, the SLTA moiety is released and acts as an N-glycosidase, which binds to and cleaves an adenine nucleobase in the 28S RNA component of the 60S subunit of ribosomes and prevents ribosome activity. This inhibits protein synthesis and leads to apoptosis in CTLA-4-expressing Tregs in the TME. The depletion of the immune suppressive Tregs in the TME may enhance a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL)-mediated immune response against cancer cells. CTLA-4, an inhibitory receptor and member of the immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF), is overexpressed by Tregs in the TME and plays a key role in the downregulation of the immune system.
drug_category
CYTOTOXIC FUSION PROTEIN
drug_class
Cytotoxic protein
drug_delivery_route
Intravenous
drug_mechanism_of_action
Engineered toxin body with biparatopic VHHs that bind CTLA-4 on tumor-infiltrating cells (primarily Tregs), internalize, and release the Shiga-like toxin A subunit, which depurinates 28S rRNA to block protein synthesis and induce apoptosis, selectively depleting CTLA-4+ immunosuppressive cells and enhancing anti-tumor T-cell responses.
drug_name
MT-8421
nct_id_drug_ref
NCT06034860