Antibody drug conjugates are specially created to deliver chemotherapy to specific tumor cells
. These therapeutic agents are likened to a GPS system that increases the efficiency of targeting the tumors that are supposed to be targeted, and leaving normal, healthy cells unexposed. An antibody drug conjugate consists of three parts, namely, a monoclonal antibody, a cytotoxic drug and a linker that binds the two. The antibody serves as guide for the ADC to work on the cancerous cells where it attaches to antigens on the cellular surface. Once the ADC reaches the cell, the cytotoxic drug begins to perform its function of destroying the tumor cells.
A Monoclonal Antibody
Selecting well-characterized antigens as antibody targets plays an important role in the success of ADC development. Investigations involving tumor-associated antigens being potential targets for ADC antibody component have already been done. This led to the method of stopping the growth of new vascularity and decreasing the amount of blood that gets to the tumor. Another research led to the development of a new class of ADCs that target blood vessels which deliver cytotoxin into extracellular space. It is seen as more advantageous as it has a wider coverage of tumors and is not dependent on a cell-surface antigens expression. Cell line development would be helpful to heighten studies that lead to the discovery of the best measures involving monoclonal antibodies.
A Cytotoxic Drug
There are three main types of drugs used as antibody drug conjugates cytotoxic component namely: calicheamycin, maytansinoids and auristatins. Cytotoxic agent must be highly potent to ensure maximum killing potential. Highly toxic drugs like that of maytansine derivatives are more potent than any other standard chemotherapy agents. These are the types of cytotoxic agents that have the maximum effect. Calicheamycin on the other hand, causes irreversible damage to DNA.
The Common Ground
A perfect balance is crucial between a stable bloodstream and efficient release of payload once the ADC design is inside the cell. This explains why ADCs linker component is of extreme importance. If this is not stable enough in the blood the risk of antibodies falling off and ADC missiles failing to strike multiple targets will make it less effective and may cause toxic side effects. A growing number of companies have already been involved in developing linker chemistries that enhance ADCs stability but maintaining the drug release efficiency in tumor cells. These companies have considered several methods like the