Advancement of Antibody-Drug conjugates in cancer treatment: A review

Abstract

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are a rapidly growing class of biotherapeutic, targeted to selectively introduce cytotoxic agents into the cancer cell by means of monoclonal antibodies. USFDA has approved ten ADCs till date indicated for the treatment of breast cancer, urothelial cancer, myeloma, acute leukemia, and lymphoma. Besides, more than 80 ADCs are currently undergoing different phases of clinical trials. However, toxicity and non-specificity in treatment of solid tumors have led to challenges in the development of this novel and emerging class of anticancer treatment agents. Recent development in antibody, payload, and linker manufacturing technologies are helping to reduce the toxicity and define the future of ADCs. The current review is a compilation that reflects the recent advancements in the field of ADCs and covers the basic aspects of ADCs, emphasizing on the current development in ADCs, as well as future directions.