Varseta-M

Varseta-M (varsetatug masetecan; CX-2051) is a masked, conditionally activated antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) targeting the Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule (EpCAM). Developed by CytomX Therapeutics in collaboration with ImmunoGen (now part of AbbVie), the drug utilizes CytomX's proprietary Probody technology. It features a masking peptide that prevents the antibody from binding to EpCAM in healthy tissues and systemic circulation. This mask is selectively cleaved by proteases that are highly active within the tumor microenvironment, allowing the antibody to bind to EpCAM-expressing cancer cells. Once internalized, the ADC releases its payload, masetecan, which is a topoisomerase-1 inhibitor that induces DNA damage and apoptosis. This approach is designed to minimize off-tumor toxicity and expand the therapeutic window for EpCAM-targeted therapies in solid tumors, such as metastatic colorectal cancer.

Brand names

Varseta-M

Other names

varsetatug masetecan