# Antibody-Drug Conjugates

Source: https://onco.cc/fronts/adcs/  
OnCo record `adcs` (Front). Data CC BY-NC 4.0, attribute "Data from OnCo (onco.cc)"; commercial use needs a licence.

## TL;DR

An antibody that finds the tumour, carrying a tiny dose of very strong chemotherapy that is released only inside it.

## Summary

ADCs combine a targeting antibody, a linker, and a cytotoxic payload. Third-generation ADCs (T-DXd, sacituzumab govitecan, datopotamab deruxtecan) with topoisomerase-I payloads and bystander killing have reshaped breast, lung, and urothelial cancer. Next generation: bispecific ADCs, dual payloads, degrader and immune-stimulating payloads, masked ADCs, and radio-conjugates.

## Fields

- Kind: Front
- Last checked: 2026-09-04

## Sources

- NCI: Dictionary of Cancer Terms: antibody-drug conjugate: https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/antibody-drug-conjugate

## Connected records

- companies: [AbbVie (incl. ImmunoGen, Capstan)](https://onco.cc/companies/abbvie/), [Abzena](https://onco.cc/companies/abzena/), [ADC Therapeutics](https://onco.cc/companies/adc-therapeutics/), [Adcendo](https://onco.cc/companies/adcendo/), [Akeso](https://onco.cc/companies/akeso/), [Alentis Therapeutics](https://onco.cc/companies/alentis-therapeutics/), [Alphamab Oncology](https://onco.cc/companies/alphamab/), [Araris Biotech (Taiho)](https://onco.cc/companies/araris/), [Astellas](https://onco.cc/companies/astellas/), [AstraZeneca](https://onco.cc/companies/astrazeneca/), [Avenzo Therapeutics](https://onco.cc/companies/avenzo/), [Bicycle Therapeutics](https://onco.cc/companies/bicycle-therapeutics/), [BigHat Biosciences](https://onco.cc/companies/bighat-biosciences/), [BioNTech](https://onco.cc/companies/biontech/), [Bristol Myers Squibb](https://onco.cc/companies/bms/), [Callio Therapeutics](https://onco.cc/companies/callio-therapeutics/), [Catalent (Novo Holdings)](https://onco.cc/companies/catalent/), [Celldex Therapeutics](https://onco.cc/companies/celldex/), [CSPC Pharmaceutical Group](https://onco.cc/companies/cspc/), [Cullgen](https://onco.cc/companies/cullgen/), [CytomX Therapeutics](https://onco.cc/companies/cytomx-therapeutics/), [Daiichi Sankyo](https://onco.cc/companies/daiichi-sankyo/), [Dantari](https://onco.cc/companies/dantari/), [Debiopharm](https://onco.cc/companies/debiopharm/), [Duality Biotherapeutics](https://onco.cc/companies/dualitybio/), [Emergence Therapeutics](https://onco.cc/companies/emergence-therapeutics/), [Enlaza Therapeutics](https://onco.cc/companies/enlaza-therapeutics/), [Firefly Bio](https://onco.cc/companies/firefly-bio/), [FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies](https://onco.cc/companies/fujifilm-diosynth/), [Generate:Biomedicines](https://onco.cc/companies/generate-biomedicines/), [Genmab](https://onco.cc/companies/genmab/), [Gilead Sciences (incl. Kite)](https://onco.cc/companies/gilead/), [Glenmark Pharmaceuticals (Ichnos Glenmark Innovation)](https://onco.cc/companies/glenmark/), [GSK](https://onco.cc/companies/gsk/), [Hansoh Pharmaceutical](https://onco.cc/companies/hansoh-pharma/), [Heidelberg Pharma](https://onco.cc/companies/heidelberg-pharma/), [IDEAYA Biosciences](https://onco.cc/companies/ideaya-biosciences/), [Iksuda Therapeutics](https://onco.cc/companies/iksuda-therapeutics/), [Innovent Biologics](https://onco.cc/companies/innovent/), [Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals](https://onco.cc/companies/hengrui/), [Keymed Biosciences (KYM Biosciences)](https://onco.cc/companies/keymed/), [Lonza](https://onco.cc/companies/lonza/), [Mablink Bioscience](https://onco.cc/companies/mablink-bioscience/), [MacroGenics](https://onco.cc/companies/macrogenics/), [MediLink Therapeutics](https://onco.cc/companies/medilink/), [Merck & Co. (MSD)](https://onco.cc/companies/merck/), [Mersana Therapeutics](https://onco.cc/companies/mersana/), [Myricx Bio](https://onco.cc/companies/myricx-bio/), [Mythic Therapeutics](https://onco.cc/companies/mythic-therapeutics/), [NBE-Therapeutics](https://onco.cc/companies/nbe-therapeutics/), [Orum Therapeutics](https://onco.cc/companies/orum-therapeutics/), [Pathos AI](https://onco.cc/companies/pathos-ai/), [Pfizer (incl. Seagen)](https://onco.cc/companies/pfizer/), [Pheon Therapeutics](https://onco.cc/companies/pheon-therapeutics/), [Piramal Pharma Solutions](https://onco.cc/companies/piramal-pharma-solutions/), [ProfoundBio](https://onco.cc/companies/profoundbio/), [RemeGen](https://onco.cc/companies/remegen/), [Samsung Biologics](https://onco.cc/companies/samsung-biologics/), [Sichuan Kelun-Biotech](https://onco.cc/companies/kelun-biotech/), [SOTIO Biotech](https://onco.cc/companies/sotio/), [Sutro Biopharma](https://onco.cc/companies/sutro-biopharma/), [Synaffix (Lonza)](https://onco.cc/companies/synaffix/), [SystImmune / Sichuan Biokin](https://onco.cc/companies/systimmune/), [Taiho Pharmaceutical (Otsuka)](https://onco.cc/companies/taiho/), [Takeda](https://onco.cc/companies/takeda/), [Tallac Therapeutics](https://onco.cc/companies/tallac-therapeutics/), [Tubulis (Gilead)](https://onco.cc/companies/tubulis/), [Valink Therapeutics](https://onco.cc/companies/valink-therapeutics/), [WuXi Biologics](https://onco.cc/companies/wuxi-biologics/), [WuXi XDC](https://onco.cc/companies/wuxi-xdc/), [Zai Lab](https://onco.cc/companies/zai-lab/), [Zymeworks](https://onco.cc/companies/zymeworks/)
- roadmaps: [ADC roadmap: from Mylotarg to bispecific and dual-payload ADCs](https://onco.cc/roadmaps/adc-generations/), [Lymphoma roadmap: from a jaw tumour in Uganda and the first human cancer virus to gene-expression subtypes, PET-adapted chemotherapy, CAR-T cells, bispecific antibodies and the genetics-directed trials now recruiting](https://onco.cc/roadmaps/lymphoma-roadmap/), [TNBC roadmap: from 'nothing to target' to ADC + immunotherapy first line](https://onco.cc/roadmaps/tnbc-history/), [Triple-negative breast cancer roadmap: from a remainder defined by three negative tests to immunotherapy, antibody-drug conjugates and the residual disease problem](https://onco.cc/roadmaps/tnbc-roadmap/), [TROP2 ADC roadmap: sacituzumab govitecan → Dato-DXd → sac-TMT → bispecifics and PET](https://onco.cc/roadmaps/trop2-adc-roadmap/)
- key papers: [Brentuximab vedotin combination for relapsed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma](https://onco.cc/key-papers/paper-echelon-3-brentuximab-lenalidomide-rituximab-dlbcl-jco-2025/), [Polatuzumab vedotin plus rituximab, gemcitabine, and oxaliplatin in relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: results from the phase III, randomized POLARGO trial](https://onco.cc/key-papers/paper-polargo-polatuzumab-r-gemox-dlbcl-jco-2026/), [Trastuzumab deruxtecan (DS-8201) in patients with HER2-expressing metastatic colorectal cancer (DESTINY-CRC01)](https://onco.cc/key-papers/paper-siena-destiny-crc01-trastuzumab-deruxtecan-lancet-oncol-2021/)
- trials: [POLAR BEAR](https://onco.cc/trials/polar-bear/), [POLARGO](https://onco.cc/trials/polargo/), [RADAR](https://onco.cc/trials/radar-hodgkin/)
- ideas: [A radiotherapy-free cure for early Hodgkin lymphoma that actually holds](https://onco.cc/ideas/lymphoma-ev-radiotherapy-free-early-hodgkin/)
- technologies: [ADC bioconjugation manufacturing (CDMOs)](https://onco.cc/technologies/adc-cdmo-manufacturing/), [ADC payload neutralisers](https://onco.cc/technologies/adc-payload-neutralizer/), [Antibody manufacturing (CHO bioprocessing)](https://onco.cc/technologies/monoclonal-antibody-manufacturing/), [Antibody-drug conjugate (ADC)](https://onco.cc/technologies/adc/), [Antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates](https://onco.cc/technologies/antibody-oligonucleotide-conjugates/), [Bispecific ADC](https://onco.cc/technologies/bispecific-adc/), [Degrader-antibody conjugate (DAC)](https://onco.cc/technologies/degrader-antibody-conjugate/), [Downstream purification (Protein A capture, viral clearance, polishing)](https://onco.cc/technologies/downstream-purification-chromatography/), [Dual-payload ADC](https://onco.cc/technologies/dual-payload-adc/), [HER2 PET](https://onco.cc/technologies/her2-pet/), [Immune-stimulating antibody conjugate (ISAC)](https://onco.cc/technologies/immune-stimulating-adc/), [Masked / conditionally active ADC](https://onco.cc/technologies/masked-adc/), [Payload-linker synthesis (high-potency API)](https://onco.cc/technologies/high-potency-payload-synthesis/), [Peptide-drug & small-molecule-drug conjugates](https://onco.cc/technologies/peptide-drug-conjugate/), [Radio-antibody & radio-ADC](https://onco.cc/technologies/radioimmunotherapy/), [Single-use bioprocessing systems](https://onco.cc/technologies/single-use-bioprocessing/), [Site-specific conjugation & linker chemistry](https://onco.cc/technologies/site-specific-conjugation/), [Sterile fill-finish and lyophilisation](https://onco.cc/technologies/sterile-fill-finish/), [The ADC supply chain (antibody, payload-linker, conjugation, fill)](https://onco.cc/technologies/adc-supply-chain/), [Topoisomerase-I inhibitors (and ADC payloads)](https://onco.cc/technologies/topoisomerase-inhibitors/), [TROP2 PET](https://onco.cc/technologies/trop2-pet/)
- terms: [Cross-resistance](https://onco.cc/terms/cross-resistance/), [Ocular toxicity (keratopathy, blurred vision)](https://onco.cc/terms/ocular-toxicity/)
- institutions: [University Cancer Center Frankfurt (UCT)](https://onco.cc/institutions/uct-frankfurt/)

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