Metal-based antibody drug conjugates. Potential and challenges in their application as targeted therapies in cancer

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Nanotechnology
• Medicinal Chemistry

Background:

• Antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) represent a significant advancement in targeted cancer therapy.
• ADCs leverage monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for antigen specificity and potent chemotherapeutics for cytotoxicity.
• Metal-containing components are increasingly integrated into ADCs for novel therapeutic applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) employing metal-containing cytotoxic payloads.
• To explore ADCs where metal-based components (e.g., nanoparticles) play a functional role.
• To discuss challenges and opportunities for advancing metal-based ADCs in clinical translation.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of existing research on metal-containing antibody drug conjugates.
• Analysis of ADCs incorporating metallic nanoparticles for various therapeutic modalities.
• Examination of the role of metal components in linker structures and payload delivery.

Main Results:

• Metal-containing payloads offer potent cytotoxic effects in ADCs.
• Metal-based components, such as nanoparticles, enhance ADC functionality in photodynamic/photothermal therapy, chemo-sensitization, and drug delivery.
• Integration of metal components into linker structures offers novel design possibilities.

Conclusions:

• ADCs with metal-containing payloads show significant promise for targeted cancer treatment.
• Metal-based components offer versatile strategies to improve ADC efficacy and therapeutic applications.
• Further research and development are crucial to overcome challenges and enhance the clinical translation of these advanced ADCs.