Advancements in Oncology through Antibody-Drug Conjugates
Introduction
Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are a class of promising anticancer drugs that combine the high selectivity of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) with the cytotoxic potency of small molecule drugs. In this article, we discuss the latest developments in ADCs and their clinical applications, including their efficacy in treating advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC), endometrial cancer, metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), breast cancer, and urothelial cancer.
Nivolumab-Cabozantinib for Advanced RCC
Dramatic improvements in the treatment of advanced RCC have been observed through the use of Nivolumab-Cabozantinib. A study presented at the 2024 ASCO Annual Meeting demonstrated that patients treated with nivolumab plus cabozantinib achieved 1.5 times longer mean time-to-failure of strategy versus sunitinib. Such studies are vital in establishing patient survival time after therapeutical initiation.
Envafolimab-Lenvatinib for Endometrial Cancer
Another promising use of ADCs is in treating endometrial cancer. A combination of envafolimab plus lenvatinib has been shown to exhibit robust durable antitumor activity while also demonstrating a manageable safety profile. This combination serves as an effective treatment option for those with previously treated advanced non-MSI-H/non-dMMR endometrial cancer — a population with a high unmet need.
JNJ-6420 for Metastatic CRPC
An exciting new ADC therapy for metastatic CRPC is JNJ-6420, which has been shown to deliver deep and durable biochemical responses when targeting hK2. Despite the dose-limiting adverse effects of interstitial lung disease and thrombocytopenia, these limitations can be overcome using adaptive dosing schedules and dose caps to optimize results.
ADCs in Breast Cancer Treatment
The field of ADC therapy is expanding across different cancer types, with breast cancer being a particularly promising avenue of research. The efficacy of datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd; DS-1062a) in treating breast cancer is particularly noteworthy. Dato-DXd has shown great promise, with the potential for sequenced therapies for the right patients. According to Tanya Gupta, MD, a medical oncologist in the Stanford University Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, the potential for this drug to gain approval will result in a lot of discussion around sequencing of therapies.
Enfortumab Vedotin Plus Pembrolizumab in Urothelial Cancer
Urothelial cancer is another area where ADC therapies have shown remarkable promise. The combination of enfortumab vedotin plus pembrolizumab has demonstrated improved quality of life (QOL), functioning, and disease symptoms in patients with locally advanced and metastatic urothelial cancer. Shilpa Gupta, MD, the director of Genitourinary Medical Oncology at Taussig Cancer Institute, expressed enthusiasm regarding this therapy’s positive impact on the overall quality of life for cancer patients.
Conclusion
The efficacy of ADCs in diverse cancer types is both exciting and promising. Further research and development in this area could have significant benefits and lead to new therapeutic options to treat patients with cancer who currently have significant unmet needs. Through studies and trials such as those highlighted in this article, we can continue to learn from the exciting promise of ADCs.
Originally Post From https://www.targetedonc.com/view/the-targeted-pulse-an-in-depth-overview-on-the-power-of-adcs-highlights-from-asco-and-more
