The effects of vepotuzumab (POLIVY)

Vepotuzumab (POLIVY) isaCD79b-directed antibody-drug conjugate with activity against dividing B cells. The small molecule MMAE is an antimitotic agent covalently linked to an antibody via a cleavable linker. The monoclonal antibody binds CD79b, a B cell-specific surface protein that is a component of the B cell receptor. Upon binding to CD79b, velpotuzumab is internalized and the linker is cleaved by lysosomal proteases to enable intracellular delivery of MMAE. MMAE binds to microtubules and kills dividing cells by inhibiting cell division and inducing apoptosis.