Advancements in antibody-drug conjugates as cancer therapeutics

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) represent a promising approach in targeted cancer therapy, combining the targeted precision of antibodies with the potency of cytotoxic payloads to selectively target tumour cell whilst minimising off-target effects. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of AD...

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Main Authors: Jung Yin Fong, Zhixin Phuna, Di Yang Chong, Christophorus Manuel Heryanto, Yu Shyan Low, Khang Chiang Oh, Yan Huen Lee, Allan Wee Ren Ng, Lionel Lian Aun In, Michelle Yee Mun Teo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-08-01
Series:Journal of the National Cancer Center
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667005425000432
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author Jung Yin Fong
Zhixin Phuna
Di Yang Chong
Christophorus Manuel Heryanto
Yu Shyan Low
Khang Chiang Oh
Yan Huen Lee
Allan Wee Ren Ng
Lionel Lian Aun In
Michelle Yee Mun Teo
author_facet Jung Yin Fong
Zhixin Phuna
Di Yang Chong
Christophorus Manuel Heryanto
Yu Shyan Low
Khang Chiang Oh
Yan Huen Lee
Allan Wee Ren Ng
Lionel Lian Aun In
Michelle Yee Mun Teo
author_sort Jung Yin Fong
collection DOAJ
description Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) represent a promising approach in targeted cancer therapy, combining the targeted precision of antibodies with the potency of cytotoxic payloads to selectively target tumour cell whilst minimising off-target effects. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of ADCs, encompassing their structural components, mechanisms of action, and clinical applications. It also examines recent technological advancements, particularly in antibody engineering and linker design, aimed at enhancing therapeutic efficacy and safety. The current clinical landscape is outlined, highlighting approved ADCs and promising candidates in clinical trials, while also addressing key challenges such as stability, half-life, and systemic toxicity. This review is based on an extensive literature survey from major databases such as Scopus and Web of Science, with a focus on keywords like “antibody-drug conjugates”, “ADC advancements”, and “next-generation ADC technologies”. By integrating insights from both preclinical and clinical perspectives, we highlight the transformative potential of ADCs in advancing modern cancer therapy.
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institution DOAJ
issn 2667-0054
language English
publishDate 2025-08-01
publisher Elsevier
record_format Article
series Journal of the National Cancer Center
spelling doaj-art-2a7053946e92470eaa3e8d23ae7f69302025-08-20T03:16:15ZengElsevierJournal of the National Cancer Center2667-00542025-08-015436237810.1016/j.jncc.2025.01.007Advancements in antibody-drug conjugates as cancer therapeuticsJung Yin Fong0Zhixin Phuna1Di Yang Chong2Christophorus Manuel Heryanto3Yu Shyan Low4Khang Chiang Oh5Yan Huen Lee6Allan Wee Ren Ng7Lionel Lian Aun In8Michelle Yee Mun Teo9Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Cancer Immunotherapy Research Group (CIRG), Faculty of Applied Sciences, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaSchool of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor’s University, Selangor, Malaysia; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Healthy Aging, Aesthetics and Regenerative Medicine, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaDepartment of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Cancer Immunotherapy Research Group (CIRG), Faculty of Applied Sciences, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaDepartment of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Cancer Immunotherapy Research Group (CIRG), Faculty of Applied Sciences, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaDepartment of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Cancer Immunotherapy Research Group (CIRG), Faculty of Applied Sciences, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaDepartment of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Cancer Immunotherapy Research Group (CIRG), Faculty of Applied Sciences, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaDepartment of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaCancer Immunotherapy Research Group (CIRG), Faculty of Applied Sciences, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Nanyang Technological University, SingaporeDepartment of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Cancer Immunotherapy Research Group (CIRG), Faculty of Applied Sciences, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaDepartment of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Cancer Immunotherapy Research Group (CIRG), Faculty of Applied Sciences, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Corresponding author.Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) represent a promising approach in targeted cancer therapy, combining the targeted precision of antibodies with the potency of cytotoxic payloads to selectively target tumour cell whilst minimising off-target effects. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of ADCs, encompassing their structural components, mechanisms of action, and clinical applications. It also examines recent technological advancements, particularly in antibody engineering and linker design, aimed at enhancing therapeutic efficacy and safety. The current clinical landscape is outlined, highlighting approved ADCs and promising candidates in clinical trials, while also addressing key challenges such as stability, half-life, and systemic toxicity. This review is based on an extensive literature survey from major databases such as Scopus and Web of Science, with a focus on keywords like “antibody-drug conjugates”, “ADC advancements”, and “next-generation ADC technologies”. By integrating insights from both preclinical and clinical perspectives, we highlight the transformative potential of ADCs in advancing modern cancer therapy.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667005425000432Antibody-drug conjugatesCancerTargeted therapyAntibodyLinker
spellingShingle Jung Yin Fong
Zhixin Phuna
Di Yang Chong
Christophorus Manuel Heryanto
Yu Shyan Low
Khang Chiang Oh
Yan Huen Lee
Allan Wee Ren Ng
Lionel Lian Aun In
Michelle Yee Mun Teo
Advancements in antibody-drug conjugates as cancer therapeutics
Journal of the National Cancer Center
Antibody-drug conjugates
Cancer
Targeted therapy
Antibody
Linker
title Advancements in antibody-drug conjugates as cancer therapeutics
title_full Advancements in antibody-drug conjugates as cancer therapeutics
title_fullStr Advancements in antibody-drug conjugates as cancer therapeutics
title_full_unstemmed Advancements in antibody-drug conjugates as cancer therapeutics
title_short Advancements in antibody-drug conjugates as cancer therapeutics
title_sort advancements in antibody drug conjugates as cancer therapeutics
topic Antibody-drug conjugates
Cancer
Targeted therapy
Antibody
Linker
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667005425000432
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