[Oncology. Antibody-drug conjugates : a challenging innovation]
Rita S Brito1, Timothée Olivier1, Anita Wolfer1
1Service d'oncologie, Hôpitaux universitaires de Genève, 1211 Genève 14.
Abstract:
New therapeutic agents in oncology are emerging rapidly, both in terms of the number of approved drugs and the technological and biological innovation of new treatments. Antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) offer a promising cancer therapy by specifically targeting tumor cells. ADC are composed of a monoclonal antibody recognizing the tumor cell via specific antigens, coupled with a potent cytotoxic agent that resembles classical chemotherapy. This mechanism of action aims to deliver the cytotoxic agent directly to the tumor cell and spare healthy cells. However, important toxicities have been reported. On the one hand, these toxicities are related to the cytotoxic agents that, once delivered locally, spread to other parts of the body. On the other hand, there are specific toxicities associated with these ADC, which we address in this article.
Insights
Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) offer targeted cancer therapy by delivering cytotoxic agents directly to tumor cells. This review addresses specific toxicities associated with ADCs beyond those of traditional chemotherapy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Immunology
Context:
- Rapid advancements in novel cancer therapeutics.
- Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) represent a significant innovation in targeted cancer therapy.
- ADCs combine monoclonal antibodies with potent cytotoxic agents for tumor-specific delivery.
Purpose:
- To review the specific toxicities associated with antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs).
- To differentiate ADC-related toxicities from those of conventional chemotherapy.
- To provide a comprehensive overview of emerging challenges in ADC therapy.
Summary:
- ADCs utilize targeted antibodies to deliver cytotoxic payloads directly to cancer cells, minimizing off-target effects.
- Despite their targeted nature, ADCs can cause toxicities related to the released cytotoxic agents.
- Unique toxicities inherent to the ADC construct itself are also a significant concern.
Impact:
- Improved understanding of ADC-related adverse events.
- Informing clinical management strategies for patients receiving ADC therapy.
- Guiding the development of safer and more effective antibody-drug conjugates for oncology.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
01:27Tumor Immunotherapy
02:50Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
01:30Cancer Vaccines
Cancer vaccines come in two categories: preventive (prophylactic) and treatment (active). Preventive vaccines, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, protect against viruses that cause certain...
02:49Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
01:31Hybridoma Technology
Hybridoma Selection
Commonly used fusion techniques — electroporation,...