ADC Payload

ADC payloads are cytotoxic agents that induce target cell death in Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADCs). An ADC is a targeted agent composed with a monoclonal antibody, a linker and a payload. The payload is the most important component as it determines the potency to kill cancer cells of an ADC.

There are many payloads which are currently being used such as Calicheamicins, Duocarmycins, Pyrrolobenzodiazepines (PBDs), Camptothecins, Daunorubicins/Doxorubicins, Auristatins and Maytansinoids. They can be divided in two classes based on their mechanism of action, DNA damaging agents and tubulin inhibitors. Among them Calicheamicins, Duocarmycins and PBDs are DNA minor grove binders, Camptothecins and Daunorubicins/Doxorubicins are topoisomerase inhibitors, which are DNA damaging agents. Auristatins and Maytansinoids are tubulin inhibitors.