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Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are a class of targeted cancer therapies that have gained increasing importance in cancer management. Here are some key points about the use of ADCs in cancer treatment:<\/p>\n
1. Mechanism of action<\/strong>:<\/p>\n – ADCs combine a monoclonal antibody that targets a specific tumour antigen with a potent cytotoxic drug or payload.<\/p>\n – The antibody binds to the target antigen on the tumour cell, and the drug is then internalized, leading to the selective killing of the cancer<\/a> cell.<\/p>\n 2. Target selection<\/strong>:<\/p>\n – The target antigen chosen for an ADC must be expressed on the surface of tumour cells but not (or minimally) on normal cells.<\/p>\n – Common targets include HER2, CD30, CD22, TROP2, and others that are overexpressed in various cancer types<\/a>.<\/p>\n 3. Payload selection<\/strong>:<\/p>\n – The cytotoxic drug or payload attached to the antibody is typically a highly potent compound, such as auristatins or maytansinoids.<\/p>\n – These payloads are designed to be more effective and less prone to drug resistance as compared to conventional chemotherapies.<\/p>\n 4. Clinical applications<\/strong>:<\/p>\n – ADCs have been approved for the treatment of various haematological malignancies and solid tumours, including:<\/p>\n – Breast cancer<\/a> (e.g., trastuzumab emtansine)<\/p>\n – Lymphoma<\/a> (e.g., brentuximab vedotin)<\/p>\n