How antibody-drug conjugates are advancing cancer treatment
Hear expert insights on ADC innovations, manufacturing challenges, and the future of precision medicine
6 May 2025
For over a century, researchers have pursued the elusive goal of precision-targeted cancer therapy. Despite these efforts, chemotherapy has remained the primary cancer treatment for more than 50 years. Although often effective, chemotherapy is associated with significant toxicity due to its non-selective nature. A promising alternative is antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), a new class of therapeutics that combines the targeting precision of antibodies with the potency of cytotoxic drugs.
ADCs are complex, engineered compounds consisting of three critical components:
- A monoclonal antibody (mAb) that seeks out specific cancer cell markers
- A cytotoxic payload – a highly potent anti-cancer drug
- A linker that connects the antibody and the drug, designed to release the payload inside the targeted cancer cells
Unlike conventional chemotherapy, which attacks both healthy and malignant cells indiscriminately, ADCs are designed to deliver their toxic payload only where it's needed – directly into cancer cells. This selective targeting significantly reduces collateral damage to healthy tissue, potentially improving outcomes and reducing side effects.
As ADCs move from proof-of-concept to clinical reality, researchers, clinicians, and manufacturers are all asking the same question: how can we optimize this promising technology for broader, safer, and more effective use? Below, we highlight expert insights into what makes ADCs a game-changer in oncology, their unique benefits, the key manufacturing challenges, and what the future may hold for this rapidly evolving therapeutic approach.
A dynamic future for ADCs in oncology by Dr. Alex Ricart
Dr. Alex Ricart, a board-certified medical oncologist with an international clinical practice background, discusses how ADCs are changing the way we treat difficult cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma, and solid tumors. He notes that ADCs have already shown remarkable results in enhancing traditional chemotherapy, particularly in relapsed refractory disease. Dr. Ricart also shares innovative study designs and future breakthroughs in ADC technology, including new antibody fragments and hydrophilic linkers. He emphasizes the need for better patient stratification to ensure the right treatment reaches the right individual, thereby enhancing efficacy while minimizing side toxicity.
The role of bioconjugation by Dr. Yuval Yarkoni
Dr. Yarkoni explores how bioconjugation – the chemical linking of the drug to the antibody – has become a key step in ADC development. He also discusses the challenge of maintaining a consistent drug-antibody ratio (DAR), a critical factor in ensuring both safety and efficacy. New advancements in site-specific conjugation techniques and linker-payload chemistry are helping address these issues, leading to more uniform products and better clinical outcomes. Dr. Yarkoni highlights future trends in ADC development, emphasizing more specific conjugation sites and reduced systemic side effects, aiming for enhanced efficacy and safety in cancer treatments.
How to overcome manufacturing and regulatory challenges by Dr. Yuval Yarkoni
As the clinical promise of ADCs becomes clearer, the focus shifts to how these complex therapies can be reliably manufactured at scale. In a complementary talk, Dr. Yuval Yarkoni offers insights into the intricate processes involved in ADC development, from supply chain logistics and process optimization to regulatory compliance. Dr. Yarkoni also provides a compelling glimpse into the future of oncology, highlighting the scientific advancements and meticulous processes that drive the creation of these innovative therapies.
A new class of smart chemotherapies by Tom Held
Tom Held shares why ADCs represent a significant leap forward for the pharmaceutical industry. By combining the targeted nature of biologics with the potency of chemotherapy, ADCs are creating a new class of "smart chemotherapies." Tom also highlights the key manufacturing challenges, such as maintaining stability and scalability, and shares his optimism about continued innovation in the field.
The importance of monoclonal antibodies by Dr. Lena Jonsson
Finally, Dr. Lena Jonsson, Product Strategy Manager at Cytiva, underscores the foundational role of mAbs in the evolution of targeted therapies. She explains how high-quality mAbs are essential for effective ADCs and how advancements in chromatography and software systems, are enabling efficient, scalable production. Dr. Jonsson also emphasizes the importance of maintaining rigorous quality standards as the demand for ADCs grows, highlighting Cytiva's efforts in developing innovative solutions to meet these evolving needs.