Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are changing the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by delivering chemotherapy directly to cancer cells while reducing damage to healthy tissue. Doctors say these targeted therapies are showing better results than traditional second-line chemotherapy such as docetaxel, which has limited response rates.
Medical oncologist Judy Wang explained that ADCs may also help treat brain metastases because some drugs appear able to cross the blood-brain barrier. Their success depends on comprehensive genomic profiling to identify biomarkers such as EGFR mutations or c-MET overexpression that match patients to the right treatment.
Researchers are now testing ADCs earlier in treatment, including before and after surgery. However, experts warn that ADCs can cause serious side effects, including interstitial lung disease, fatigue, low blood counts, and painful mouth sores. Early monitoring is important because some side effects may not appear until weeks after treatment.
Newer ADCs in development are designed to target two cancer markers at once and may expand treatment options for more lung cancer patients in the future.