[Research progress and application status of nanobody-drug conjugate(NDC) in cancer treatment]

Nanobody (Nb) is a unique type of single-domain antibody found in camelids, comprising only the variable domain of heavy-chain-only antibodies (VHH). Nbs prossess distinct advantages, including small molecular size, high structural stability, high solubility, strong antigen-binding affinity, and low. While, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) have shown significant efficacy in cancer therapy, conventional ADCs based on monoclonal antibodies face limitations such as poor tissue penetration, high immunogenicity and immunotoxicity, and costly production. Studies suggested that replacing monoclonal antibodies with Nbs to construct nanobody-drug conjugates (NDCs) can circumvent these drawbacks. By conjugating Nbs with chemotherapeutic drugs, photosensitizers, or radionuclides, and other agents, NDCs enhance therapeutic effect and demonstrate great potential in tumor diagnosis and treatment. This review summarizes the discovery and structural characteristics of nanobodies, the construction strategies for NDCs, their applications in tumor therapy, and the synergistic potential of nanobodies with other treatment modalities. Ultimately, it aims to provide insights for future research and development of NDCs in oncology.