Research progress of recombinant Fc fusion protein drugs

Since the first report of CD4-Fc fusion protein in 1989, Fc fusion protein has received increased attention in the medical field with its therapeutic potential. Fc fusion protein consists of the immunoglobin Fc domain and fused partners, which has both biological functions of fused partners and characteristic of antibody, showing significantly improved stability and specificity in vivo. Antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) mediated by Fc fusion protein can be increased or decreased by glycosylation, deamidation, and site-directed amino acid modification of the Fc domain, which has been widely used in clinical diagnosis and treatment, and also in nonclinical applications. This review summarize the structural and pharmacological properties of Fc fusion protein and discuss its future development directions in clinical and nonclinical fields.