Cancer-fighting antibodies inject chemo directly into tumor cells, upping effectiveness
What are antibody drug conjugates and how do they function in cancer treatment?
Antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) are a type of cancer treatment that combines the targeting ability of antibodies with the cancer-killing power of chemotherapy drugs. ADCs consist of three main components: an antibody, a cytotoxic drug, and a linker that connects the two. The antibody is designed to target specific proteins found on the surface of cancer cells, and once it binds to the target cell, the entire ADC is internalized into the cell. Inside the cell, the linker releases the chemotherapy drug, which then kills the cancer cell.
This targeted approach allows for the delivery of more potent chemotherapy drugs directly into the cancer cells while minimizing damage to healthy cells. As a result, ADCs have the potential to be more effective and cause fewer side effects than traditional chemotherapy. Currently, there are 11 FDA-approved ADCs for various types of cancer, with many more in clinical development.
How do antibody drug conjugates differ from traditional chemotherapy in terms of targeting cancer cells?
Antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) differ from traditional chemotherapy in terms of targeting cancer cells by utilizing specialized monoclonal antibodies that seek out specific targets on cancer cells. This allows ADCs to attack only cancer cells while leaving healthy cells unharmed. Traditional chemotherapy drugs, on the other hand, are unable to discriminate between cancer cells and healthy ones, which often leads to major side effects.
What was the significance of the first antibody drug conjugate approved by the FDA in 2000, and what types of cancer has it been used to treat since then?
The first antibody drug conjugate (ADC) approved by the FDA in 2000 was gemtuzumab ozogamicin (GO), also known as Mylotarg. This marked a significant milestone in cancer therapy as it combined the specificity of monoclonal antibodies with the potency of cytotoxic drugs. GO was initially approved for the treatment of older patients with relapsed CD33-positive acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, it was later withdrawn due to safety and efficacy concerns. Despite this, GO was reapproved in 2017 under an alternative dosing regimen.
Since the approval of GO, several other ADCs have been developed and approved for various types of cancer, including hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. These ADCs have shown promising results in clinical trials, demonstrating targeted killing of cancer cells while sparing healthy tissues. Currently, there are 11 FDA-approved ADCs on the market, and many more are in the pipeline, offering new hope for cancer patients.