Antibody–drug conjugates in solid tumors: current landscape, challenges, and future directions
- 1Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences
- 2Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences
Abstract
China is confronted by a high burden of malignant tumors, characterized by a distinct epidemiological profile in which solid tumors such as esophageal and gastric cancers predominate. These challenges highlight an urgent need for more precise and effective therapeutic strategies. Antibody–drug conjugates (ADC), which combine targeted antibody with potent cytotoxic payloads, have demonstrated transformative clinical efficacy across multiple refractory solid tumors and have rapidly become a major focus in global oncology drug development. However, the clinical application of ADC remains constrained by the limited availability of actionable targets, suboptimal predictive biomarkers, and safety concerns such as ocular toxicity and interstitial lung disease. With the emergence of bispecific ADC, immune-stimulating ADC platforms, and next-generation payload designs are now driving the evolution of ADC technology toward broader patient applicability and improved safety profiles. These advances hold the potential to translate into new therapeutic opportunities for patients with high-incidence solid tumors in China.
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BibTeX
@article{yang2026antibodydrug,
title = {{Antibody–drug conjugates in solid tumors: current landscape, challenges, and future directions}},
author = {Teng Yang and Takaya Shimura and Qing Wei and Xiangdong Cheng},
journal = {Holistic Integrative Oncology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1007/s44178-026-00304-6},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s44178-026-00304-6},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Antibody–drug conjugates in solid tumors: current landscape, challenges, and future directions
AU - Teng Yang
AU - Takaya Shimura
AU - Qing Wei
AU - Xiangdong Cheng
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/25
JO - Holistic Integrative Oncology
DO - 10.1007/s44178-026-00304-6
UR - https://doi.org/10.1007/s44178-026-00304-6
AB - China is confronted by a high burden of malignant tumors, characterized by a distinct epidemiological profile in which solid tumors such as esophageal and gastric cancers predominate. These challenges highlight an urgent need for more precise and effective therapeutic strategies. Antibody–drug conjugates (ADC), which combine targeted antibody with potent cytotoxic payloads, have demonstrated transformative clinical efficacy across multiple refractory solid tumors and have rapidly become a major focus in global oncology drug development. However, the clinical application of ADC remains constrained by the limited availability of actionable targets, suboptimal predictive biomarkers, and safety concerns such as ocular toxicity and interstitial lung disease. With the emergence of bispecific ADC, immune-stimulating ADC platforms, and next-generation payload designs are now driving the evolution of ADC technology toward broader patient applicability and improved safety profiles. These advances hold the potential to translate into new therapeutic opportunities for patients with high-incidence solid tumors in China.
SN - 2731-4529
ER -