Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 6, 2026

Initial Evaluation of Antibody-conjugates Modified with Viral-derived Peptides for Increasing Cellular Accumulation and Improving Tumor Targeting
11:58

Initial Evaluation of Antibody-conjugates Modified with Viral-derived Peptides for Increasing Cellular Accumulation and Improving Tumor Targeting

Published on: March 8, 2018

Recent advances in function-enhanced antibody-drug conjugates: Antibody optimization and payload combination

Xin-Tong Liu1,2, Feng Tang3,4,5, Wei Huang6,7,8,9

  • 1Nottingham Ningbo China Beacons of Excellence Research and Innovation Institute, University of Nottingham Ningbo China, Ningbo, 315100, China.

Acta Pharmacologica Sinica
|July 16, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Next-generation antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) enhance tumor therapy by improving bispecific construction, internalization, binding affinity, and payload innovation to overcome challenges of current treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Biotechnology

Background:

  • Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) represent a significant advancement in cancer therapeutics, combining targeted antibody delivery with potent cytotoxic payloads.
  • Over 20 ADCs are approved, with >300 candidates in clinical trials, highlighting their therapeutic importance in hematological malignancies and solid tumors.
  • Traditional ADCs face challenges including antigen heterogeneity, poor internalization, drug resistance, and toxicity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the latest advancements in next-generation antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs).
  • To focus on design optimization strategies that enhance ADC function and overcome limitations of earlier generations.
  • To explore four key areas of innovation: bispecific ADC construction, improved internalization, enhanced binding affinity, and novel payload combinations.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent research and clinical trial data on antibody-drug conjugates.
  • Analysis of design strategies for next-generation ADCs.
  • Focus on advancements in bispecific antibody engineering, internalization mechanisms, antibody affinity modulation, and payload diversification.

Main Results:

  • Next-generation ADCs are being developed with enhanced targeting and efficacy through innovative design.
  • Strategies include bispecific antibodies for broader targeting, optimized linker-payload systems for improved internalization and reduced resistance.
  • Enhanced binding affinity and novel payload combinations aim to increase therapeutic index and overcome resistance mechanisms.

Conclusions:

  • Next-generation ADCs show promise in overcoming the limitations of traditional antibody-drug conjugates.
  • Continued innovation in ADC design, including bispecificity, internalization efficiency, binding affinity, and payload strategies, is crucial for advancing cancer therapy.
  • These functional enhancements are expected to improve treatment outcomes and broaden the applicability of ADCs in oncology.
Keywords:
antibody-drug conjugatesbispecific ADCcovalent protein drugdual-payload ADCfunction enhancement

More Related Videos

Genetic Encoding of a Non-Canonical Amino Acid for the Generation of Antibody-Drug Conjugates Through a Fast Bioorthogonal Reaction11:02

Genetic Encoding of a Non-Canonical Amino Acid for the Generation of Antibody-Drug Conjugates Through a Fast Bioorthogonal Reaction

Published on: September 14, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Site-Targeted Drug Delivery Systems: Polymeric Carriers01:24

Site-Targeted Drug Delivery Systems: Polymeric Carriers

Polymeric carriers enhance targeted drug delivery by increasing efficacy while minimizing off-target effects. These carriers comprise a biodegradable polymeric backbone integrated with functional elements that enable targeting, improve physicochemical properties, and regulate drug release.Targeting MechanismsThe targeting ability of polymeric carriers is mediated by a homing device, which is a molecular recognition component designed to selectively bind to specific tissues or cells. Monoclonal...
Hybridoma Technology01:31

Hybridoma Technology

Hybridoma technology is used for the large-scale production of monoclonal antibodies. Monoclonal antibodies bind to only a single antigenic determinant or epitope. Such antibodies are used in research, diagnostics, and disease therapy. The hybridoma technology established in 1975 by Georges Köhler and Cesar Milstein was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1984 for revolutionizing research and therapy.
Hybridoma Selection
Commonly used fusion techniques — electroporation, polyethylene glycol...
Affinity and Avidity01:41

Affinity and Avidity

Overview
Antibody Actions01:26

Antibody Actions

Antibodies, or immunoglobulins, are critical players in the immune system's arsenal against invading pathogens. Produced by B cells and plasma cells, their primary role is to detect and bind to specific antigens, molecules found on the surface of pathogens like bacteria or viruses. Beyond antigen recognition, antibodies perform several vital functions that contribute to immune defense.
Neutralization
Antibodies can bind to pathogens, preventing them from infecting host cells. This process...
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine02:50

Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine

Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
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...