Introduction to Antibody–Drug Conjugates (ADCs)

Antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) are monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) or antibody fragments attached to biologically active molecules through chemical linkers with labile bonds. Currently, four ADCs have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA): gemtuzumab ozogamicin (Mylotarg®), brentuximab vedotin (Adcetris®), ado-trastuzumab emtansine (Kadcyla®) and inotuzumab ozogamicin (Besponsa®); along with two immunotoxins [moxetumomab pasudotox (Lumoxiti®) and tagraxofusp (Elzonris®)]. This chapter reviews the basis of ADCs as anticancer therapeutics and highlights their advantages and disadvantages. Although there has been extensive research in the area of ADCs over the past few decades, there is still much that can be done to improve efficacy and reduce side effects.