Research advances in Claudin18.2-targeted tumor imaging and therapy

Claudin18.2 (CLDN18.2) is highly expressed in various solid tumors, including gastric and pancreatic cancers, while its expression is low or absent in most normal tissues, making it an important tumor-specific target. The authors systematically review the structure, functions, and tissue distribution of CLDN18.2, CLDN18.2-targeted therapeutic strategies, and recent advances in CLDN18.2-targeted imaging for cancer diagnosis and treatment. Taken together, this review provides new strategies and insights for establishing CLDN18.2 as a key target for theranostics.