Find actively recruiting antibody-drug conjugate clinical trials in the UK. Learn how ADCs like Enhertu, Trodelvy, and Adcetris deliver chemotherapy directly to cancer cells.
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Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are precision medicines that combine a targeted antibody with a potent chemotherapy payload, connected by a chemical linker. Think of them as "guided missiles" that deliver chemotherapy directly to cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue.
An ADC has three components: 1) The antibody — a monoclonal antibody that binds to a specific protein found on cancer cells (e.g., HER2, TROP2, Nectin-4). 2) The linker — a stable chemical bridge that releases the drug only after the ADC enters the cancer cell. 3) The payload — a potent chemotherapy agent (often 100-1000x more potent than standard chemo) that kills the cell from within. Key ADCs include trastuzumab deruxtecan (Enhertu), sacituzumab govitecan (Trodelvy), and enfortumab vedotin (Padcev).
Actively recruiting studies in the United Kingdom
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Traditional chemotherapy circulates throughout the body and damages all fast-dividing cells. ADCs use an antibody to specifically target cancer cells, carrying the chemotherapy directly to the tumour. This "targeted delivery" means higher doses reach the cancer with less damage to healthy tissue, typically resulting in different and often fewer side effects.
Some ADCs like Enhertu release their payload after entering the cancer cell, and the drug can diffuse out to kill neighbouring tumour cells — even those without the target protein. This "bystander effect" makes these ADCs effective against heterogeneous tumours where not all cells express the target.
Several ADCs are approved by NICE for NHS use, including trastuzumab deruxtecan (Enhertu) for HER2+ breast and gastric cancer, enfortumab vedotin (Padcev) for bladder cancer, and polatuzumab vedotin for lymphoma. Many newer ADCs are accessible through clinical trials.
Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs) is used across multiple conditions. Select your condition for targeted results.
How do ADCs compare with other cancer treatments?