Tengonermin

Tengonermin, also known as NGR-hTNF, is a vascular-targeting drug. It is a recombinant protein and peptide-targeted agent consisting of the human Tumour Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) conjugated with the CNGRCG peptide. This drug works by modifying the tumor microenvironment and increasing intratumoral chemotherapy penetration and T-cell infiltration.

NGR-hTNF specifically targets angiogenic tumor blood vessels using the NGR motif. Literature demonstrates that NGR-peptides bind to a CD13 isoform, of which expression is restricted to tumor vasculature cells. A study also demonstrated that binding of the NGR-motif to CD13 determined both the homing of NGR-hTNF to tumor vessels and the increase in its antiangiogenic activity.