Antibody-drug conjugates in urinary tumors: clinical application, challenge, and perspectives

Keqiang Li1,2, Guoqing Xie1,2, Xiyue Deng1,2

  • 1Department of Urology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.

Frontiers in Oncology
|January 4, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) show promise for treating advanced urinary tumors like kidney and prostate cancer. Research focuses on overcoming challenges to improve patient outcomes with these targeted therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Urinary tumors, including kidney, urothelial, and prostate cancers, present significant treatment challenges, especially in advanced stages.
  • Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) offer a novel therapeutic strategy by combining targeted antibody delivery with potent cytotoxic payloads.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advancements, opportunities, and challenges in applying ADCs for urinary tumors.
  • To discuss current FDA-approved and investigational ADCs and their potential impact on patient outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent advancements in ADC therapy for urinary malignancies.
  • Analysis of FDA-approved and emerging ADCs, including strategies for toxicity management and biomarker identification.
  • Exploration of ADC combination therapies with immunotherapy, targeted agents, and radiation.

Main Results:

  • ADCs represent a promising therapeutic avenue for advanced urinary tumors, with several agents approved and under investigation.
  • Key challenges include managing toxicity, identifying predictive biomarkers, and overcoming resistance mechanisms.
  • Integration with other treatment modalities may further enhance efficacy.

Conclusions:

  • ADCs hold significant potential to improve treatment options and outcomes for patients with advanced urinary tumors.
  • Addressing challenges and exploring innovative combinations are crucial for maximizing ADC therapeutic benefits.