Definition

An antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) composed of a monoclonal antibody against the tumor-associated antigen (TAA) the proto-oncogene c-Met (hepatocyte growth factor receptor; HGFR) linked to an as of yet undisclosed cytotoxic agent, with potential antineoplastic activity. Upon intravenous administration, the monoclonal antibody moiety of SHR-A1403 targets and binds to c-Met expressed on tumor cells. Upon binding and internalization, the cytotoxic agent is released and kills the c-Met-expressing cancer cells, through an as of yet unknown mechanism of action. c-Met, a receptor tyrosine kinase overexpressed or mutated in many tumor cell types, plays key roles in tumor cell proliferation, survival, invasion, metastasis and tumor angiogenesis.