ICAM1 antibody drug conjugates exert potent antitumor activity in papillary and anaplastic thyroid carcinoma

Treatment options for anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) and refractory papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) are limited and outcomes remain poor. In this study, we determined via bioinformatic expression analyses and immunohistochemistry staining that intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM1) is an attractive target for ATC and PTC. We designed and engineered two ICAM1-directed antibody-drug conjugate (I1-MMAE and I1-DXd), both of which potently and selectively ablate multiple human ATC and PTC cell lines without affecting non-plastic cells in vitro. Furthermore, I1-MMAE and I1-DXd mediated a potent tumor regression in ATC and PTC xenograft models. To develop a precision medicine, we also explored magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a non-invasive biomarker detection method to quantitatively map ICAM1 antigen expression in heterogeneous thyroid tumors. Taken together, this study provides a strong rationale for the further development of I1-MMAE and I1-DXd as promising therapeutic candidates to treat advanced PTC and ATC.

Automated summary

Through bioinformatic expression analyses and immunohistochemistry staining, we identified ICAM1 as an attractive target for ATC and PTC. We developed ICAM1-directed antibody-drug conjugates, I1-MMAE and I1-DXd, which effectively eliminated ATC and PTC cells without affecting non-cancerous cells in vitro. In vivo studies demonstrated significant tumor regression in ATC and PTC xenograft models. Additionally, we explored MRI as a non-invasive biomarker detection method for ICAM1 antigen expression in heterogeneous thyroid tumors. This study provides a strong rationale for the further development of I1-MMAE and I1-DXd as promising therapeutic candidates for advanced PTC and ATC.