Clinical Development of New Antibody-Drug Conjugates in Breast Cancer: To Infinity and Beyond

Metastatic breast cancer remains an incurable disease, and new therapies are needed. One major limitation of chemotherapy is the toxicity associated with higher dose exposure. Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are a complex and evolving class of agents specifically designed with the objective of delivering antineoplastic medicines in the most precise and selectively targeted way. ADCs are composed of four key components: (1) the target antigen, (2) an antibody construct, (3) a payload (most commonly a cytotoxic agent), and (4) a linker moiety that couples the payload and the antibody. In this review, we discuss the clinical development of ADCs for the treatment of breast cancer, focusing on two recently FDA-approved agents, trastuzumab deruxtecan and sacituzumab govitecan, and discuss the ongoing efforts exploring new agents. Finally, we summarize the current portfolio of clinical trials that could change the algorithm of treatment for early and advanced breast cancer.

Automated summary

ADCs are a complex class of drugs designed to deliver antineoplastic medicines in a precise and targeted manner, with the aim of treating metastatic breast cancer. Two ADCs have been recently approved by the FDA for breast cancer treatment, with ongoing efforts to develop new agents. Clinical trials could potentially revolutionize the treatment algorithm for early and advanced breast cancer.