Peptide-Drug Conjugates with Different Linkers for Cancer Therapy

J Med Chem. 2021 Jan 14;64(1):216-232. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01530. Epub 2020 Dec 31.

Abstract

Drug conjugates are chemotherapeutic or cytotoxic agents covalently linked to targeting ligands such as an antibody or a peptide via a linker. While antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are now clinically established for cancer therapy, peptide-drug conjugates (PDCs) are gaining recognition as a new modality for targeted drug delivery with improved efficacy and reduced side effects for cancer treatment. The linker in a drug conjugate plays a key role in the circulation time of the conjugate and release of the drug for full activity at the target site. Herein, we highlight the main linker chemistries utilized in the design of PDCs and discuss representative examples of PDCs with different linker chemistries with the related outcome in cell and animal studies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Oximes / chemistry
  • Peptides / chemistry*
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations / chemistry*
  • Triazoles / chemistry
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Oximes
  • Peptides
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations
  • Triazoles