Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are a novel class of therapeutic agents incorporating both target-specific monoclonal antibodies and cytotoxic small molecules via a chemical linker. They were first introduced into the clinic for the treatment of advanced hematologic malignancies. The only approved ADC for solid tumors targets erb-b2 receptor tyrosine kinase (HER2), a validated antigen in breast cancer. Many ADCs are under active investigation for various types of solid tumors. In this article, we review the literature from several perspectives including the design, pharmacology, and mechanism-based toxicities of antibodydrug conjugates. We then discuss ADCs currently in clinical development for thoracic malignancies.
MethodsA systematic analysis of the literature was conducted on antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) in thoracic malignancies by performing a medical subject headings search in PubMed using the term antibody-drug conjugates combined with lung cancer or mesothelioma and therapeutics.