Antibody conjugates, also known as antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), are a class of targeted therapies designed to deliver potent drugs specifically to cancer cells or other disease-related targets while minimizing damage to healthy cells. They combine the specificity of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) with the cytotoxic effects of chemotherapy drugs or other therapeutic agents.

Here's how antibody conjugates work:

Monoclonal Antibody (mAb): ADCs begin with a monoclonal antibody, which is a laboratory-engineered antibody that can recognize and bind to a specific antigen found on the surface of cancer cells or other disease-related cells.

Chemotherapy Drug or Payload: Attached to the antibody is a cytotoxic drug or payload. This drug is highly potent and can kill cells when it is internalized by them.

Linker Molecule: The antibody and the drug are connected by a linker molecule. The linker is designed to be stable in the bloodstream to prevent premature release of the drug but is designed to be cleaved or broken down within the target cell after the antibody has bound to its target.

The key advantages of antibody conjugates include:

Targeted Therapy: Antibody conjugates specifically target cells expressing the antigen recognized by the monoclonal antibody, which reduces damage to healthy tissues and minimizes side effects compared to traditional chemotherapy.

Enhanced Drug Delivery: The antibody serves as a delivery vehicle, ensuring that the cytotoxic drug is delivered directly to the cancer cells or disease targets.

Potent Cytotoxicity: The attached chemotherapy drug is usually more potent than traditional chemotherapy agents since it is delivered selectively to the target cells.

Reduced Systemic Toxicity: By targeting only the disease-specific cells, antibody conjugates can reduce systemic toxicity, allowing for higher drug doses and potentially improved treatment outcomes.

Antibody conjugates have been approved for the treatment of various cancers, and they continue to be an area of active research and development in the field of oncology and beyond. They represent a promising approach to precision medicine, where treatments are tailored to the specific molecular characteristics of a patient's disease.