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NCI Drug Dictionary


cantuzumab ravtansine 
An immunotoxin of a humanized monoclonal antibody C242 (MoAb HuC242) conjugated with a derivative of cytotoxic agent maytansine, DM4, with potential antitumor activity. Cantuzumab ravtansine is generated based on MoAb C242, which is raised against a cell surface superantigen, CA242, found in a variety of human tumor cells. Upon binding and entry, the immunoconjugate releases the maytansinoid agent DM4, which binds to tubulin, thereby affecting microtubule assembly/disassembly dynamics. As a result, this agent prevents cell division and reduces cell growth of cancer cells that express CA242. Check for active clinical trials or closed clinical trials using this agent. (NCI Thesaurus)
Synonym:maytansinoid DM4-conjugated humanized monoclonal antibody huC242
Code name:HuC242-DM4