A comprehensive review on antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) in the treatment landscape of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). (May 2022) - Abuhelwa, Ziad
Highlights: ADCs deliver highly potent cytotoxic drugs in a "targeted" fashion. ADCs are made of an antibody and a cytotoxic drug connected via a linker. Targets for ADCs include HER2, Trop2, HER3, MET and others. ADCs have an unique mechanism of action. Clinicians should be aware of efficacy and safety data on emerging ADCs. Abstract: Even though both targeted and immunotherapy-based therapies have been established as frontline standard-of-care for patients with advanced lung cancer, adverse events, resistance, and disease progression remain unavoidable in most instances. In this scenario, chemotherapy is a popular salvage option, but it has restricted therapeutic index. Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) have emerged as a viable option. ADCs combine the specificity of monoclonal antibodies with the cytotoxic effects of chemotherapy to deliver cytotoxic payloads to cancer cells in a direct fashion. Among the promising ADCs used in advanced solid tumors, HER2 targeted ADCs of trastuzumab ematansine and trastuzumab deruxtecan are key drugs in this field.