Antibody-Drug Conjugates: A New Frontier in Cancer Treatment

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are typically composed of a monoclonal antibody (mAbs) covalently bonded to a biologically active cytotoxic drug via a chemical linker. The mAb can then bind to a specific target protein or receptor, allowing the delivery of the drug into the target cell. 

This combination allows for a highly specific targeting and potent killing effect to achieve accurate and efficient elimination of target cells, without harming healthy cells. This is particularly desirable in treating cancer, as chemotherapy has poor specificity towards tumor tissues and has toxicities to healthy tissues.¹

Although most developed ADCs are designed to treat cancer, ongoing research are attempting to use ADCs to treat different diseases such as atherosclerosis, bacteremia, and inflammatory diseases. Furthermore, development of bispecific ADCs, as well as combinations of ADCs with immunotherapy, are anticipated to produce more safe and efficacious therapies.²

At Biointron, we are dedicated to accelerating antibody discovery for the development of antibody-based drugs for various diseases. Our team of experts can provide customized solutions that meet your specific research needs. Contact us to learn more about our services and how we can help accelerate your research and drug development projects.

References:

1. Pettinato, M. C. (2021). Introduction to Antibody-Drug Conjugates. Antibodies, 10(4). https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4468/10/4/42

2. Fu, Z., Li, S., Han, S., Shi, C., & Zhang, Y. (2022). Antibody drug conjugate: The “biological missile” for targeted cancer therapy. Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy, 7(1), 1-25. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41392-022-00947-7