A biparatopic HER2-targeting ADC constructed via site-specific glycan conjugation exhibits superior stability, safety, and efficacy

Abstract

HER2 is overexpressed in approximately 15–20% of cancers and is associated with aggressive disease progression. We developed JSKN003, a bispecific HER2-targeted antibody–drug conjugate (ADC), through site-specific conjugation technology based on N-glycosylation engineering. JSKN003 maintains a biantennary glycan structure and exhibits superior structural homogeneity, optimized hydrophilicity, and reduced aggregation compared to conventional thiol-maleimide chemistry. In preclinical models JSKN003 demonstrated potent antitumor efficacy, inducing tumor regression in multiple HER2-expressing tumors, such as NCI-N87, BxPC-3, and PDX tumor models. Mechanistically, JSKN003 binds specifically to HER2, undergoes efficient internalization, and traffics to the lysosome, where the payload DXd is released, leading to DNA damage and apoptosis. JSKN003 retained its cytotoxic activity against trastuzumab-resistant cells, attributed to efficient payload delivery and blockade of downstream HER2 signaling pathways, demonstrating the potential to overcome clinical trastuzumab resistance. The safety profile of JSKN003 was evaluated in cynomolgus monkeys and was found to be acceptable, with no severe toxicities observed at therapeutic doses. JSKN003 demonstrated excellent antitumor activity and a favorable safety profile in clinical trials, highlighting its potential as a promising therapeutic option for patients with HER2-positive tumors. These findings suggest that JSKN003 could be a valuable therapeutic strategy with excellent efficacy and safety for HER2-expressing tumors in the clinical setting.