An Insight into FDA Approved Antibody-Drug Conjugates for Cancer Therapy

Juliana T W Tong; Paul W R Harris; Margaret A Brimble; Iman Kavianinia

doi:10.3390/molecules26195847

An Insight into FDA Approved Antibody-Drug Conjugates for Cancer Therapy

Molecules. 2021 Sep 27;26(19):5847. doi: 10.3390/molecules26195847.

Authors

Juliana T W Tong^{1

2}, Paul W R Harris^{1

2

3}, Margaret A Brimble^{1

2

3}, Iman Kavianinia^{1

2

3}

Affiliations

¹ School of Chemical Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand.
² Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiversity, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand.
³ School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand.

Abstract

The large number of emerging antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for cancer therapy has resulted in a significant market 'boom', garnering worldwide attention. Despite ADCs presenting huge challenges to researchers, particularly regarding the identification of a suitable combination of antibody, linker, and payload, as of September 2021, 11 ADCs have been granted FDA approval, with eight of these approved since 2017 alone. Optimism for this therapeutic approach is clear, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 was a landmark year for deals and partnerships in the ADC arena, suggesting that there remains significant interest from Big Pharma. Herein we review the enthusiasm for ADCs by focusing on the features of those approved by the FDA, and offer some thoughts as to where the field is headed.

Keywords: ADCs; FDA approved; antibody-drug conjugates; cancer; targeted therapy.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
Drug Approval
Humans
Immunoconjugates / therapeutic use*
Neoplasms / drug therapy*
United States
United States Food and Drug Administration

Substances

Antineoplastic Agents
Immunoconjugates

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Substances

Grants and funding