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Adecatumumab is a fully human recombinant IgG1 monoclonal antibody developed to target epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM, also called CD326), a protein overexpressed on many adenocarcinomas including breast and prostate cancer. It was studied through Phase II trials but was not approved.
- Studied as a targeted therapy for EpCAM-positive adenocarcinomas including breast and prostate cancer
- Higher EpCAM expression associated with reduced progression probability in trials
- No confirmed complete or partial tumor responses in Phase II breast cancer trials
- General antibody-related risks such as infusion reactions
Overview
An antibody drug aimed at EpCAM-positive tumors; it showed some biological activity but never cleared the bar for approval.
Mechanism
Adecatumumab binds EpCAM (CD326) on the surface of epithelial tumor cells and recruits the immune system to destroy them, primarily through antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC). EpCAM is broadly expressed on adenocarcinomas, making it an attractive tumor-selective target.
receptor fingerprint
EpCAM (CD326)Modulator
Dosingtypical ranges, not medical advice
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Safetyrisks and cautions, not medical advice
In Phase II trials in metastatic breast cancer, adecatumumab was generally tolerated, though no complete or partial responses were confirmed by central assessment; higher EpCAM expression and higher dosing were associated with a lower probability of tumor progression. As an antibody therapy it carries the general infusion-related and immune-mediated risks common to this drug class; it did not proceed to approval.
Subjective profileweighing the evidence above
An oncology antibody that stalled in Phase II with no confirmed tumor responses, which is why it went no further. Of interest as EpCAM-targeting history and as trial-design reading, with nothing for a general reader to act on.
Resources
This entry is here for reference.
Research
- 1.Adecatumumab: an anti-EpCAM monoclonal antibody, from the bench to the bedside
- 2.An open-label, randomized phase II study of adecatumumab, a fully human anti-EpCAM antibody, as monotherapy in patients with metastatic breast cancer
2 listed here; entry last updated July 2026
Reviews
My notesprivate to this device
FAQ
What is Adecatumumab used for?
It was investigated as a cancer immunotherapy for EpCAM-expressing adenocarcinomas such as breast and prostate cancer, but it is not an approved drug.
How does Adecatumumab work?
It is a monoclonal antibody that binds EpCAM on tumor cells and marks them for destruction by the immune system through antibody-dependent and complement-dependent cytotoxicity.
Is Adecatumumab well-researched?
It went through Phase I and Phase II clinical trials in several cancers with published results, but was not advanced to Phase III or approval.
Adverse effects
- No confirmed complete or partial tumor responses in Phase II breast cancer trials
- General antibody-related risks such as infusion reactions