Definition

An antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) composed of an as of yet undisclosed antibody conjugated to TAK-676, an agonist for the stimulator of interferon genes (STING; transmembrane protein 173; TMEM173), with potential immuno-activating and antineoplastic activities. Upon intravenous administration, antibody STING drug conjugate TAK-500 targets and binds to the undisclosed target, thereby allowing TAK-676 to bind to STING. This activates the STING pathway in immune cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME). This leads to the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interferons (IFNs), enhances the cross-presentation of tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) by dendritic cells (DCs), and induces a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL)-mediated immune response against cancer cells. STING, a transmembrane protein that activates immune cells in the TME, plays a key role in the activation of the innate immune system. The conjugation of the antibody to TAK-676 improves targeted delivery of the STNG agonist and increases tumor exposure to TAK-676 and enhances the STING-mediated anti-tumor immune responses.