Antibody-drug conjugate

Antibody-drug conjugates are targeted therapies that consist of a monoclonal antibody linked to a chemotherapy drug. Monoclonal antibodies are designed to bind to a specific target, similar to the way antibodies in our immune system bind to specific pathogens. In antibody-drug conjugates used for breast cancer, a monoclonal antibody binds to a specific protein on cancer cells. This binding triggers a signal in the tumor cell that causes it to internalize the antibody. Once the ADC enters the cancer cell, it delivers a toxic drug (chemotherapy) to that cell. In delivering chemotherapy directly to cancer cells, antibody-drug conjugates help minimize damage to healthy cells.