Definition

An antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) composed of an antibody directed against the tumor-associated carbohydrate antigen Sialyl Thomsen-nouveau (STn) conjugated to the cytotoxic agent monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) via the MC-vc-PAB linker, with potential antineoplastic activity. Upon administration of the anti-STn ADC SGN-STNV, the anti-STn antibody targets and binds to STn expressed on tumor cells. Following internalization of SGN-STNV and release of MMAE, MMAE targets and binds to tubulin, and inhibits microtubule polymerization. This results in G2/M phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in STn-expressing tumor cells. STn, a tumor-associated carbohydrate antigen that is present on various tumor-associated glycoproteins including CA-125 and mucin-1 (MUC1), is expressed in multiple tumor types.