New developments for antibody-drug conjugate-based therapeutic approaches

The clinical success of Adcetris (R) (brentuximab vedotin) and Kadcyla (R) (ado-trastuzumab emtansine) has sparked clinical development of novel ADCs. These powerful anti-cancer agents are designed to allow specific targeting of highly potent cytotoxic agents to tumor cells while sparing healthy tissues. Despite the use of tumor-specific antibodies, the emerging clinical data with ADCs indicates that adverse effects frequently occur before ADCs have reached their optimal therapeutic dose, resulting in a relatively narrow therapeutic window. This review summarizes the therapeutic window of ADCs currently in clinical development, along with some strategies that may help to widen the window.