Definition

An antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) composed of a monoclonal antibody targeting human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (EGFR2; HER2; ErbB2) and conjugated, via a site-specific linker, to the cytotoxic maytansinoid mertansine (DM1), with potential antineoplastic activity. Upon administration of anti-HER2-DM1 ADC GQ1001, the antibody moiety targets and binds to HER2 on tumor cell surfaces. Upon cellular uptake and internalization, DM1 binds to tubulin and interferes with microtubule assembly and disassembly dynamics. This inhibits cell division and the proliferation of tumor cells that overexpress HER2. HER2, a tyrosine kinase receptor, is overexpressed by many cancer cell types.