Seco-DUBA, a duocarmycin (DUBA) prodrug, possess two hydroxyl groups suitable for antibody coupling through a linker. This compound, serving as a precursor, enables the synthesis of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs).

Seco-DUBA demonstrates dose-dependent reduction in cell viability over 144 hours across concentrations ranging from 0.0001 pM to 0.01 nM in SK-BR-3 cells, proving to be as potent and efficacious as DUBA[1]. Additionally, it exhibits high sensitivity in reducing the viability of SK-BR-3 (IC 50 =0.09), SK-OV-3 (IC 50 =0.43), and SW620 (IC 50 =0.09) cells[1]. This is further corroborated by a Cell Cytotoxicity Assay conducted on the SK-BR-3 cell line within the specified concentration and incubation period, affirming the dose-dependent decrease in cell viability[1].

Seco-DUBA, at a dosage of 89 µg/kg administered intravenously, is likely transformed into DUBA almost instantaneously in Wistar rats, as indicated in pharmacokinetic analysis[1].