Immune mediated inflammatory disease: T cell engager versus antibody drug conjugate

Immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs, distinct from IMiDs, immunomodulatory drugs) pose major therapeutic challenges due to complex pathophysiology, limited treatment durability, and associated adverse effects. T cell engagers (TCEs) and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) offer innovative approaches that leverage antibody specificity to precisely target pathogenic immune cells. TCEs redirect T cell cytotoxicity to eliminate autoreactive B cells and plasma cells, showing efficacy in diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. In contrast, ADCs deliver immunomodulatory payloads to disease-relevant cells, with agents like ABBV-154 and brentuximab vedotin showing promise in rheumatoid arthritis and systemic sclerosis. However, challenges such as cytokine release syndrome with TCEs and off- and on-target toxicities with ADCs highlight the need for optimal target selection and innovative design. This review provides a comprehensive comparison of the mechanisms, current evidence, and future directions of TCEs and ADCs in IMIDs, highlighting their potential to address unmet needs in disease management.