Definition

An antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) composed of a monoclonal antibody directed against the tumor-associated antigen (TAA) human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (EGFR2; HER2; ErbB2) conjugated via an uncleavable linker to an as of yet undisclosed maytansine derivative, with potential antineoplastic activity. Upon administration of the anti-HER2 ADC BAT8001, the anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody targets and binds to HER2 expressed on tumor cells. Upon cellular uptake, the cytotoxic maytansine derivative binds to tubulin, thereby affecting microtubule assembly and disassembly dynamics. This inhibits tumor cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in HER2-expressing tumor cells. HER2, a tyrosine kinase receptor, is overexpressed by many cancer cell types.