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title: Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs)
url: "https://www.yyhmedical.com/en/guide/technology/adc-therapy"
type: MedicalWebPage
inLanguage: en-US
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# Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs)

> Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are cancer treatments that combine a monoclonal antibody with a cell-killing drug through a chemical linker.

## Overview

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are cancer treatments that combine a monoclonal antibody with a cell-killing drug through a chemical linker. The antibody is designed to recognize a specific target on cancer cells and deliver the cytotoxic drug to those cells.

  

ADCs combine the targeting ability of antibodies with the cancer-killing effects of cytotoxic drugs. They are used in selected solid tumors, including breast, lung, and stomach cancers, as well as certain blood cancers such as lymphoma and multiple myeloma. Different ADCs target different proteins and carry different drug components, so their uses vary by cancer type.

## Indications

Whether an ADC is appropriate depends on the cancer type, stage of treatment, previous therapies, and whether the tumor expresses the relevant target.

  

For example, HER2-directed ADCs are used in selected patients with breast, gastric, and other HER2-related solid tumors. ADCs targeting proteins such as TROP2 are available for certain solid tumors, while CD30-directed ADC therapy is used for selected patients with Hodgkin lymphoma and other lymphomas.

  

Some ADCs require biomarker testing, such as immunohistochemistry, before treatment. Testing requirements vary depending on the specific drug and cancer type.

## Treatment Process

ADCs are usually given by intravenous infusion. After entering the body, the antibody component recognizes and binds to a specific antigen on the cancer cell. The ADC is then taken up by the cell, where the cytotoxic drug is released to damage or kill the cancer cell. Some ADCs may also produce a “bystander effect,” allowing the released drug to affect nearby cancer cells.

  

Treatment is generally given in repeated cycles. Imaging and blood tests are used to assess response, while monitoring of blood counts, liver function, heart function, lung health, or other parameters may be required depending on the specific ADC.

## Side Effects and Complications

Although ADCs are designed to deliver treatment more selectively to cancer cells, they can still cause systemic side effects. The safety profile varies among ADCs depending on the target, antibody, linker, and cytotoxic drug.

  

Possible side effects include nausea, fatigue, hair loss, and decreases in white blood cells, platelets, or hemoglobin. Some ADCs can cause drug-specific complications such as interstitial lung disease or pneumonitis, peripheral neuropathy, eye problems, or changes in heart function.

  

Monitoring therefore needs to be tailored to the specific ADC. New or worsening symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath, or fever should be reported promptly so that potentially serious adverse effects can be evaluated and managed early.

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