Definition

An antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) consisting of a monoclonal antibody directed against the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) conjugated to an inhibitor of Bcl-extra large (Bcl-XL), with potential antineoplastic activity. Upon administration of anti-EGFR ADC ABBV-637, the monoclonal antibody moiety targets and binds to EGFR on tumor cell surfaces. Following receptor internalization, the Bcl-XL inhibitor is released, which targets, binds to and inhibits the activity of Bcl-XL. This restores apoptotic processes in EGFR-expressing tumor cells and inhibits the proliferation of EGFR-expressing tumor cells. EGFR, a receptor tyrosine kinase mutated in many tumor cell types, plays a key role in tumor cell proliferation and tumor vascularization.