Anti-FGF8 Antibody Prodrug, Protease Activated (VS-1025-YC149)

The Anti-FGF8 Antibody Prodrug, Protease Activated (VS-1025-YC149) is an antibody prodrug comprised of a recombinant human antibody targeting human FGF8, linked to a masking peptide that conceals the active antigen-binding site via a protease-cleavable linker. The mask peptide is recombinantly attached to the amino terminus of either the light or heavy chain of the antibody, designed to block access to the antigen-binding site and physically prevent the antibody from binding to FGF8 protein. Once the masking peptide is cleaved by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), the prodrug is activated, allowing the unmasked monoclonal antibody component to bind to FGF8 effectively. FGF8 is a secreted growth factor that acts as a potent oncogenic driver by stimulating the proliferation and survival of tumor cells through the activation of its corresponding FGFR receptors. It is notably overexpressed in various hormone-dependent cancers, such as prostate and breast cancer, where its signaling can promote an autocrine or paracrine loop that drives uncontrolled malignant growth. This makes FGF8 and its signaling axis a target for developing new cancer therapies.