ASCO 2023 | Overcoming the challenges faced in identifying novel targets for ADC development

Valentina Boni, MD, PhD, University Hospital Quironsalud Madrid, Madrid, Spain, discusses the challenges faced in identifying targets for antibody-drug (ADC). Crucially, the target needs to be expressed on the membrane of tumor cells for the antibody to effectively bind whilst not being expressed in normal cells in order to avoid off-target toxicity. For example, Claudin-18.2 is a promising target as it is highly selective in normal gastric mucosa and overexpressed in tumor types like gastric and pancreatic cancer. Another potential target is c-Met, a tyrosine kinase receptor known for its role in cancer growth and resistance to EGFR-targeted therapy. Additionally, B7-H3 is an interesting target expressed in both tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment and plays a key role in immune regulation, such that combining B7-H3-targeted drugs with checkpoint inhibitors could be a promising approach. This interview took place at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2023 Annual Congress in Chicago, IL.

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