Exploring the therapeutic potential of ADC combination for triple-negative breast cancer

Cell Mol Life Sci. 2023 Nov 6;80(12):350. doi: 10.1007/s00018-023-04946-x.

Abstract

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly aggressive subtype of breast cancer. Currently, standard treatment options for TNBC are limited to surgery, adjuvant chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. However, these treatment methods are associated with a higher risk of intrinsic or acquired recurrence. Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) have emerged as a useful and promising class of cancer therapeutics. ADCs, also known as "biochemical missiles", use a monoclonal antibody (mAb) to target tumor antigens and deliver a cytotoxic drug payload. Currently, several ADCs clinical studies are underway worldwide, including sacituzumab govitecan (SG), which was recently approved by the FDA for the treatment of TNBC. However, due to the fact that only a small portion of TNBC patients respond to ADC therapy and often develop resistance, growing evidence supports the use of ADCs in combination with other treatment strategies to treat TNBC. In this review, we described the current utilization of ADCs and discussed the prospects of ADC combination therapy for TNBC.

Keywords: Antibody–drug conjugates; Combination treatments; TNBC.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aggression
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Humans
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms* / drug therapy

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal