When the antibody attaches to the target protein on a cancer cell, the cancer cell internalizes the ADC. Inside the cancer cell, the cancer drug is released from the antibody where it exerts its cancer-killing effect. Through such targeted delivery of cancer drugs to cancer cells, collateral damage to healthy tissues is minimized. In fact, the cancer drug in the rovalpituzumab tesirine ADC is so potent that it cannot be given by itself, but it is safe when given in the context of an ADC.
There are only two ADCs currently approved in the United States for the treatment of patients with cancer. However, dozens of different ADCs are being tested in clinical trials.
About Small Cell Lung Cancer
An estimated 225,000 Americans will be diagnosed with lung cancer this year.1 SCLC accounts for 10% to 15% of lung cancers. This type of lung cancer is very difficult to treat and most patients survive only a year or less after diagnosis.2 The standard initial therapy for SCLC is chemotherapy with etoposide and platinum-drug. The only FDA-approved therapy for recurrent SCLC is topotecan.
This study received funding from Stemcentrx, Inc.
View the full abstract.
For more information:
- Guide to Small Cell Lung Cancer
- Understanding Immunotherapy
- Cancer.Net Blog
- Dealing With Cancer Recurrence
1http://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/lungb.html Accessed May 19, 2016
2http://www.cancer.gov/types/lung/hp/small-cell-lung-treatment-pdq Accessed May 19, 2016