Antibody-directed enzyme prodrug therapy (ADEPT) for cancer

Kenneth D Bagshawe1, Surinder K Sharma, Richard H J Begent

  • 1Department of Oncology, Royal Free & University College Medical School, University College London, UK.

Insights

Antibody-directed enzyme prodrug therapy (ADEPT) enhances cancer treatment by targeting cytotoxic drugs to tumors. Advances in fusion proteins and glycosylation improve enzyme delivery and reduce side effects, optimizing ADEPT efficacy.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Biotechnology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Antibody-directed enzyme prodrug therapy (ADEPT) aims to localize cytotoxic effects at tumor sites.
  • Historical challenges in ADEPT efficacy and specificity have been identified and refined over time.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the progress and challenges in Antibody-directed enzyme prodrug therapy (ADEPT).
  • To highlight advancements in antibody-enzyme construct development and enzyme clearance control.
  • To identify areas for future development in ADEPT, particularly prodrug design.

Main Methods:

  • Development of consistent antibody-enzyme fusion proteins for ADEPT.
  • Utilizing glycosylation to modulate enzyme clearance rates from circulation.
  • Iterative preclinical and clinical studies to refine ADEPT strategies.

Main Results:

  • Fusion proteins enable consistent and scalable antibody-enzyme construct production.
  • Glycosylation effectively controls enzyme clearance, minimizing off-target effects.
  • Evidence suggests overcoming immunological responses to foreign enzymes is feasible.

Conclusions:

  • ADEPT shows promise for targeted cancer therapy with ongoing advancements.
  • Further development of purpose-designed prodrugs is crucial for maximizing ADEPT's potential.
  • Continuous integration of preclinical and clinical findings is essential for successful ADEPT implementation.