Definition

An antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) composed of trastuzumab, a humanized immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) monoclonal antibody directed against the tumor-associated antigen (TAA) human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (EGFR2; HER2; ErbB2), conjugated to the microtubule-disrupting cytotoxic agent monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE), with potential antineoplastic activity. Upon administration of trastuzumab vedotin, the trastuzumab moiety targets and binds to HER2 on the surface of tumor cells. Following internalization, MMAE targets and binds to tubulin, and inhibits microtubule polymerization. This results in G2/M phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in HER2-expressing tumor cells. HER2, a tyrosine kinase receptor, is overexpressed by many cancer cell types.