ADC – Trojan Horses in the Fight Against Cancer

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) are opening up new and effective treatment options, particularly for metastatic breast cancer. Drugs in this category consist of three different components: a monoclonal antibody, a powerful cytostatic agent, and a so-called linker that firmly connects these two components. This new form of cancer therapy ensures that the drugs are delivered directly to the tumor cells without damaging surrounding healthy cells.
ADC therapy is not only more effective compared to chemotherapy but also usually has less severe side effects. The monoclonal antibodies used in ADCs have the ability to recognize specific antigens that are predominantly present on the surface of the target tumor cells. The antibody binds to the surface of these cells and delivers the cytostatic agent right where it is needed. Healthy cells, which do not express the corresponding antigens on their surface, are largely spared.
Currently, eleven ADCs have been approved for oncological use, and more than 100 are in development.
Research results compellingly demonstrate the effectiveness of new ADC drugs, particularly in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer.
The development of ADCs is still in its early stages, and the drugs already available allow for more effective and precise targeting of cancer cells, slowing disease progression and providing patients with the opportunity to live longer under a more tolerable therapy. In the future, we can expect the emergence of new ADCs that will be even more specifically targeted to different tumor types, improving treatment outcomes, especially for patients whose diseases have proven resistant to standard treatments.

Reference:
Maria Schröder, Marcus Schmidt, Frederik Marmé: Antibody-drug conjugates in metastatic breast cancer: A promising treatment strategy. Oncology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00761-024-01491-5, January 2024.