See the DrugPatentWatch profile for Enspryng
What is Enspryng, and how does it work in the body?
Enspryng (mirvetuximab soravtansine) is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC). Its mechanism is built around two linked actions: targeted binding to a specific cancer marker and then delivery of a cytotoxic drug into the cancer cell.
Enspryng binds to the folate receptor alpha (FRα) on tumor cells. After binding, the complex is taken into the cell (internalized). Inside the cell, it releases a “payload” that disrupts microtubules, which blocks cell division and leads to cancer cell death [1].
How does binding to FRα translate into killing cancer cells?
The drug’s selectivity comes from targeting FRα, which is more commonly present on certain FRα-expressing tumors. Once Enspryng attaches to FRα, the ADC is internalized and the payload is released intracellularly, where it interferes with microtubules (the structures the cell uses to form its mitotic spindle). This prevents proper mitosis and triggers cell death [1].
What is the drug payload, and what does it do at the cellular level?
The payload in Enspryng is a tubulin-targeting agent (microtubule-disrupting). By disrupting tubulin/microtubule function, it prevents the cell cycle process required for cell division, leading to cytotoxicity [1].
Why does FRα expression matter for Enspryng?
Because Enspryng works by binding FRα, higher FRα expression in tumors generally increases the likelihood that more drug is captured and internalized by cancer cells. That targeting dependence is central to the mechanism of action [1].
How is an antibody-drug conjugate different from plain chemotherapy?
With an ADC like Enspryng, the antibody directs the cytotoxic payload toward FRα-expressing tumor cells. Traditional chemotherapies circulate broadly and can affect dividing normal cells more widely. The ADC design aims to concentrate the toxic payload at FRα-positive cancer cells through receptor binding and internalization [1].
Sources
- https://www.ensprying.com/about/what-is-ensprying/what-is-mirvetuximab-soravtansine/