CANCER CELL TARGETING: WHY ARE SO FEW ANTIBODY-DRUG CONJUGATES FDA APPROVED?

LaBastie, Austin; Kirchner, Kimberley; St. Pierre, Sean; Gallant, Alex; Kolodziejczak, Alex

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CANCER CELL TARGETING: WHY ARE SO FEW ANTIBODY-DRUG CONJUGATES FDA APPROVED?

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Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are a type of targeted therapy for killing cancer cells that are composed of an antibody directed against a tumor antigen linked to a potent cytotoxic drug that kills the cell. ADCs have great potential, and in some cases have been shown to cause complete cancer remissions. Although the targeting idea appears to be simple, to date only two ADC drugs have received FDA approval. The goal of this IQP project was to evaluate ADC technology by assessing its technical and regulatory problems in order to help determine the obstacles for gaining approval. We conclude that the approved ADCs had well-chosen target antigens and years of research prior to approval. We recommend that ADC research be continued to identify other adequate target antigens.

This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

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