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Mc-MMAF is a protective group-conjugated MMAF. MMAF is a more potent drug than Monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE), but is charged and relatively membrane-impermeable, is a potent tubulin inhibitor, is a toxin payload in antibody drug conjugate. Target: MMAF is a new auristatin derivative with a charged C-terminal phenylalanine that attenuates its cytotoxic activity compared to its uncharged counterpart, Monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE). Because of MMAF is highly toxic, it cannot be used as a drug itself. MMAF induces potent antitumor effects when conjugated via protease cleavable linkers to a monoclonal antibody targeting internalizing, tumor-specific cell surface antigens. The linker to the monoclonal antibody is stable in extracellular fluid, but is cleaved by cathepsin once the conjugate has entered a tumor cell, thus activating the anti-mitotic mechanism.
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