ASP388B

ASP388B is an investigational antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) developed by Astellas Pharma, designed to target **integrin alpha-V beta-6 (αvβ6)**. Integrin αvβ6 is a cell surface receptor that is typically absent or expressed at very low levels in healthy adult tissues but is significantly overexpressed in various epithelial-derived malignancies, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The ADC consists of a humanized monoclonal antibody specific for αvβ6 conjugated to a potent cytotoxic payload, likely a topoisomerase I inhibitor, via a linker. Upon binding to the target on cancer cells, the complex is internalized, releasing the payload to induce DNA damage and subsequent apoptosis. ASP388B is currently being evaluated in Phase 1b/2 clinical trials as a monotherapy and in combination with standard treatments like pembrolizumab and platinum-based chemotherapy for patients with advanced or metastatic solid tumors.