Definition

An antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) composed of an anti-CD22 humanized monoclonal antibody site-specifically conjugated, via formylglycine (FG) residues and a protease insensitive 4AP linker, to a cytotoxic microtubule-targeting maytansinoid payload, with potential antineoplastic activity. Upon administration, the monoclonal antibody moiety of TRPH-222 binds to B-cell-specific CD22 receptors and is rapidly internalized, thereby delivering the payload intracellularly. Upon proteolytic cleavage, the maytansinoid payload binds to tubulin, disrupting microtubule assembly/disassembly dynamics, inhibiting both cell division and tumor cell proliferation. CD22, a cell surface sialoglycoprotein, is expressed on mature B-cells and on most malignant B-cells. The site specific and stable conjugation to the payload allows for a higher drug-to-antibody ratio (DAR) and an enhanced therapeutic index.