Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are a new type of targeted therapy eg for cancer.^{[1] [2] [3] [4]} They consist of an antibody (or antibody fragment such as a single-chain variable fragment (scFv)) linked to a payload drug (often cytotoxic). Hence they are a type of immunoconjugate and often an immunotoxin.

The antibody causes the ADC to bind to the target cancer cells. Often the ADC is then internalised by the cell and the drug is released to do its damage.^[5] Because of the targeting the side effects should be lower and give a wider therapeutic window.^[6]

Approved:

• gemtuzumab ozogamicin (Mylotarg) Approved for acute myelogenous leukemia in 2001 but since withdrawn.

Examples in clinical trials :^[1][7][6]

Started Phase III :

• Trastuzumab-DM1 (T-DM1)^[8][6][9] for breast cancer.
• Inotuzumab_ozogamicin (CMC-544) for non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Started Phase II:

• Glembatumumab vedotin (CDX-011, CR011-vcMMAE) for melanoma and metastatic breast cancer.
• SGN-35
• IMGN242^[10] for CanAg expressing gastric cancer.
• lorvotuzumab mertansine (IMGN901) for CD56 cancers.^[11]
• AN-152, LMB2, TP-38, VB4-845^[6]p9

Started Phase I:

• Cantuzumab mertansine (huC242-DM1) Results^[12][13]
• AVE9633
• SAR3419
• CAT-8015 (anti-CD22)

Preclinical:

• Anti-CD22-MCC-DM1 for leukemia^[14]
• and others.^[6]

References