Antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) are one of the fastest-growing bio-therapeutics that selectively delivers chemotherapy agents to cancer cells. ADCs are comprised of a monoclonal antibody conjugated to the cytotoxic payload via a chemical linker that directed toward a target antigen expressed on the cancer cell surface, reducing systemic exposure and, therefore, off-target toxicity (Figure 1). The “linkers” that connect the antibodies to cytotoxic drugs (payload) should be highly stable in circulation to prevent pre-mature release before the ADC enters the tumour. The payload penetrates the tumour and causes cell death either by damaging the DNA of cancer cells or by preventing new cancer cells from forming and spreading.
Figure: Components of antibody-drug conjugates
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