Anti-MMAE Antibodies

Monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) is a synthetic antitumor agent that inhibits microtubule dynamics. Due to its high toxicity, it cannot be used as a standalone drug. Instead, it is conjugated with monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), which guide it to cancer cells. MMAE is a synthetic derivative of dolastatin 10 and exerts its potent antimitotic activity by inhibiting microtubule protein polymerization.

MMAE is widely used as a payload in antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) development for treating various types of cancer. Examples of ADCs that utilize MMAE include Adcetris, Polivy, Padcev, and Vidicizumab. MMAE is essentially a demethylated version of auristatin E, with only one methyl group on the N-terminal amine, compared to the two methyl groups in auristatin E itself. This modification makes MMAE 100-1000 times more potent than doxorubicin. For more details on the mechanism of action of MMAE, click here.

Due to its high toxicity, MMAE cannot be administered as a standalone drug. However, when conjugated with monoclonal antibodies, it can be delivered specifically to cancer cells. The antibodies target specific markers on cancer cells, ensuring that MMAE is directed to the intended site, minimizing harm to healthy cells.

Pharmacokinetic (PK) studies of ADC payloads like MMAE are crucial for understanding their behavior in the body. However, due to MMAE’s toxicity, such studies cannot be conducted in humans. Therefore, preclinical detection of MMAE levels, such as measuring the concentration of ADCs and anti-MMAE conjugates, is essential for PK analysis and Drug-to-Antibody Ratio (DAR) studies.

DIMA BIOTECH has developed an anti-MMAE antibody specifically designed for ADC ELISA assays. This antibody enables the quantitation of anti-MMAE conjugates in test samples, facilitating PK detection and DAR analysis. Such tools are invaluable for accelerating the development of ADC-based therapies.