Anticancer Drugs

A special issue of Pharmaceuticals (ISSN 1424-8247).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2019) | Viewed by 80110

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Special Issue Editors

Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, 152−160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2 D02 R590, Ireland
Interests: anticancer drug design; breast cancer; novel antioestrogens; tubulin targeting agents; azetidinones; antioestrogen–drug conjugates; oestrogen receptor; Burkitt's lymphoma; chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152−160 Pearse Street, D02 R590 Dublin 2, Ireland
Interests: anticancer drug design; tubulin targeting agents; novel antiestrogens; cancer immunotherapy; triple negative breast cancer; Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia; colorectal cancer; pancreatic cancer; designed multiple ligands
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The transition from cytotoxic chemotherapy to targeted cancer drug discovery and development has resulted in an increasing number of successful molecular therapies for cancer treatment. Continued research on the design of effective oncology drugs for application in chemotherapy has improved our understanding of the mechanism of the action of these drugs, expanded their activity/function spectrum and opened new potential applications for improved treatments. The availability of new effective oncology drugs is encouraging. The FDA approved eight drugs for orphan cancer indications in 2017 and 12 cancer drugs (26% of the total approvals), including two landmark approvals to the first CART cell therapies. The IDH2 inhibitor enasidenib is also noteworthy, demonstrating that drugs target cancer cells by blocking cancer-specific metabolic pathways. However, despite intense efforts only a few effective therapies have emerged, and oncology drug development remains challenging; combination therapy may the future for oncology patients. To achieve a more comprehensive understanding of these activities, the journal Pharmaceuticals now invites you to contribute review or original research articles covering the different facets of anticancer drug research, which will be published as a Special Issue on “Anticancer Drugs”. The focus of this Special Issue is on the design, synthesis and molecular mechanism of action of novel antitumor drugs and on the relationship between the chemical structure and the biochemical reactivity of the molecules. This issue will also provide an understanding of the biologic and genotypic context in which targets are selected for oncology drug discovery thus allowing rationalization of the activity of these drugs and guiding the design of more effective agents.

Areas of interest include, but are not limited to:

  • Anticancer drugs acting via “Reactive Oxygen Species”
  • Antitumor drugs targeting Tubulin and Microtubules
  • Prodrug based anticancer agents
  • PDEPT (Polymer directed Enzyme Prodrug Therapy)
  • Polymer - Protein conjugates
  • Alkylating agents
  • Nuclear Receptor Antagonists
  • Cancer immunotherapy
  • Antibody-Drug Conjugates
  • Inhibitors of Kinases relevant to cancer: Tyrosine Kinases, Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Drugs acting on Apoptotic signaling pathways
  • HSP-90 inhibitors
  • PARP inhibitors
  • Conjugate and Hybrid drugs; dual acting anticancer drugs
  • Photodynamic therapy
  • Anti-angiogenic therapy
  • Drugs targeting mutant p53
  • Cancer precision medicine
  • Metabolism-modulating anti-cancer drugs
Prof. Dr. Mary J Meegan
Dr. Niamh M O’Boyle
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • Anticancer drugs
  • Cancer drug design
  • Cancer immunotherapy
  • Conjugate and Hybrid drugs

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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Editorial

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6 pages, 200 KiB  
Editorial
Special Issue “Anticancer Drugs”
by Mary J. Meegan and Niamh M. O’Boyle
Pharmaceuticals 2019, 12(3), 134; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph12030134 - 16 Sep 2019
Cited by 34 | Viewed by 5820
Abstract
The focus of this Special Issue of Pharmaceuticals is on the design, synthesis, and molecular mechanism of action of novel antitumor, drugs with a special emphasis on the relationship between the chemical structure and the biological activity of the molecules. This Special Issue [...] Read more.
The focus of this Special Issue of Pharmaceuticals is on the design, synthesis, and molecular mechanism of action of novel antitumor, drugs with a special emphasis on the relationship between the chemical structure and the biological activity of the molecules. This Special Issue also provides an understanding of the biologic and genotypic context in which targets are selected for oncology drug discovery, thus providing a rationalization for the biological activity of these drugs and guiding the design of more effective agents. In this Special Issue of Pharmaceuticals dedicated to anticancer drugs, we present a selection of preclinical research papers including both traditional chemotherapeutic agents and newer more targeted therapies and biological agents. We have included articles that report the design of small molecules with promising anticancer activity as tubulin inhibitors, vascular targeting agents, and topoisomerase targeting agents, alongside a comprehensive review of clinically successful antibody-drug conjugates used in cancer treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anticancer Drugs)

Research

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15 pages, 2109 KiB  
Article
Novel 11-Substituted Ellipticines as Potent Anticancer Agents with Divergent Activity against Cancer Cells
by Charlotte M. Miller, Elaine C. O’Sullivan and Florence O. McCarthy
Pharmaceuticals 2019, 12(2), 90; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph12020090 - 14 Jun 2019
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 4224
Abstract
Ellipticines have well documented anticancer activity, in particular with substitution at the 1-, 2-, 6- and 9-positions. However, due to limitations in synthesis and coherent screening methodology the full SAR profile of this anticancer class has not yet been achieved. In order to [...] Read more.
Ellipticines have well documented anticancer activity, in particular with substitution at the 1-, 2-, 6- and 9-positions. However, due to limitations in synthesis and coherent screening methodology the full SAR profile of this anticancer class has not yet been achieved. In order to address this shortfall, we have set out to explore the anticancer activity of this potent natural product by substitution. We currently describe the synthesis of novel 11-substituted ellipticines with two specific derivatives showing potency and diverging cellular growth effects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anticancer Drugs)
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15 pages, 7162 KiB  
Article
Magnetic Graphene Oxide Nanocarrier for Targeted Delivery of Cisplatin: A Perspective for Glioblastoma Treatment
by Sami A. Makharza, Giuseppe Cirillo, Orazio Vittorio, Emanuele Valli, Florida Voli, Annafranca Farfalla, Manuela Curcio, Francesca Iemma, Fiore Pasquale Nicoletta, Ahmed A. El-Gendy, Gerardo F. Goya and Silke Hampel
Pharmaceuticals 2019, 12(2), 76; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph12020076 - 18 May 2019
Cited by 32 | Viewed by 4942
Abstract
Selective vectorization of Cisplatin (CisPt) to Glioblastoma U87 cells was exploited by the fabrication of a hybrid nanocarrier composed of magnetic γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles and nanographene oxide (NGO). The magnetic component, obtained by annealing magnetite Fe3O4 and characterized [...] Read more.
Selective vectorization of Cisplatin (CisPt) to Glioblastoma U87 cells was exploited by the fabrication of a hybrid nanocarrier composed of magnetic γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles and nanographene oxide (NGO). The magnetic component, obtained by annealing magnetite Fe3O4 and characterized by XRD measurements, was combined with NGO sheets prepared via a modified Hummer’s method. The morphological and thermogravimetric analysis proved the effective binding of γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles onto NGO layers. The magnetization measured under magnetic fields up to 7 Tesla at room temperature revealed superparamagnetic-like behavior with a maximum value of MS = 15 emu/g and coercivity HC ≈ 0 Oe within experimental error. The nanohybrid was found to possess high affinity towards CisPt, and a rather slow fractional release profile of 80% after 250 h. Negligible toxicity was observed for empty nanoparticles, while the retainment of CisPt anticancer activity upon loading into the carrier was observed, together with the possibility to spatially control the drug delivery at a target site. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anticancer Drugs)
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49 pages, 8068 KiB  
Article
3-Vinylazetidin-2-Ones: Synthesis, Antiproliferative and Tubulin Destabilizing Activity in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 Breast Cancer Cells
by Shu Wang, Azizah M. Malebari, Thomas F. Greene, Niamh M. O’Boyle, Darren Fayne, Seema M. Nathwani, Brendan Twamley, Thomas McCabe, Niall O. Keely, Daniela M. Zisterer and Mary J. Meegan
Pharmaceuticals 2019, 12(2), 56; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph12020056 - 11 Apr 2019
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4942
Abstract
Microtubule-targeted drugs are essential chemotherapeutic agents for various types of cancer. A series of 3-vinyl-β-lactams (2-azetidinones) were designed, synthesized and evaluated as potential tubulin polymerization inhibitors, and for their antiproliferative effects in breast cancer cells. These compounds showed potent activity in MCF-7 breast [...] Read more.
Microtubule-targeted drugs are essential chemotherapeutic agents for various types of cancer. A series of 3-vinyl-β-lactams (2-azetidinones) were designed, synthesized and evaluated as potential tubulin polymerization inhibitors, and for their antiproliferative effects in breast cancer cells. These compounds showed potent activity in MCF-7 breast cancer cells with an IC50 value of 8 nM for compound 7s 4-[3-Hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl]-1-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-3-vinylazetidin-2-one) which was comparable to the activity of Combretastatin A-4. Compound 7s had minimal cytotoxicity against both non-tumorigenic HEK-293T cells and murine mammary epithelial cells. The compounds inhibited the polymerisation of tubulin in vitro with an 8.7-fold reduction in tubulin polymerization at 10 μM for compound 7s and were shown to interact at the colchicine-binding site on tubulin, resulting in significant G2/M phase cell cycle arrest. Immunofluorescence staining of MCF-7 cells confirmed that β-lactam 7s is targeting tubulin and resulted in mitotic catastrophe. A docking simulation indicated potential binding conformations for the 3-vinyl-β-lactam 7s in the colchicine domain of tubulin. These compounds are promising candidates for development as antiproiferative microtubule-disrupting agents. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anticancer Drugs)
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17 pages, 5075 KiB  
Article
Protective Effect of Cashew Gum (Anacardium occidentale L.) on 5-Fluorouracil-Induced Intestinal Mucositis
by João Antônio Leal de Miranda, João Erivan Façanha Barreto, Dainesy Santos Martins, Paulo Vitor de Souza Pimentel, Deiziane Viana da Silva Costa, Reyca Rodrigues e Silva, Luan Kelves Miranda de Souza, Camila Nayane de Carvalho Lima, Jefferson Almeida Rocha, Ana Paula Fragoso de Freitas, Durcilene Alves da Silva, Ariel Gustavo Scafuri, Renata Ferreira de Carvalho Leitão, Gerly Anne de Castro Brito, Jand Venes Rolim Medeiros and Gilberto Santos Cerqueira
Pharmaceuticals 2019, 12(2), 51; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph12020051 - 03 Apr 2019
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 4463
Abstract
Intestinal mucositis is a common complication associated with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), a chemotherapeutic agent used for cancer treatment. Cashew gum (CG) has been reported as a potent anti-inflammatory agent. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of CG extracted from the [...] Read more.
Intestinal mucositis is a common complication associated with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), a chemotherapeutic agent used for cancer treatment. Cashew gum (CG) has been reported as a potent anti-inflammatory agent. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of CG extracted from the exudate of Anacardium occidentale L. on experimental intestinal mucositis induced by 5-FU. Swiss mice were randomly divided into seven groups: Saline, 5-FU, CG 30, CG 60, CG 90, Celecoxib (CLX), and CLX + CG 90 groups. The weight of mice was measured daily. After treatment, the animals were euthanized and segments of the small intestine were collected to evaluate histopathological alterations (morphometric analysis), levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and glutathione (GSH), and immunohistochemical analysis of interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). 5-FU induced intense weight loss and reduction in villus height compared to the saline group. CG 90 prevented 5-FU-induced histopathological changes and decreased oxidative stress through decrease of MDA levels and increase of GSH concentration. CG attenuated inflammatory process by decreasing MPO activity, intestinal mastocytosis, and COX-2 expression. Our findings suggest that CG at a concentration of 90 mg/kg reverses the effects of 5-FU-induced intestinal mucositis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anticancer Drugs)
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20 pages, 2257 KiB  
Article
Characterisation of an Isogenic Model of Cisplatin Resistance in Oesophageal Adenocarcinoma Cells
by Amy M. Buckley, Becky AS. Bibby, Margaret R. Dunne, Susan A. Kennedy, Maria B. Davern, Breandán N. Kennedy, Stephen G. Maher and Jacintha O’Sullivan
Pharmaceuticals 2019, 12(1), 33; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph12010033 - 20 Feb 2019
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4683
Abstract
Cisplatin (cis-diamminedichloroplatinum) is widely used for the treatment of solid malignancies; however, the development of chemoresistance hinders the success of this chemotherapeutic in the clinic. This study provides novel insights into the molecular and phenotypic changes in an isogenic oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC) model [...] Read more.
Cisplatin (cis-diamminedichloroplatinum) is widely used for the treatment of solid malignancies; however, the development of chemoresistance hinders the success of this chemotherapeutic in the clinic. This study provides novel insights into the molecular and phenotypic changes in an isogenic oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC) model of acquired cisplatin resistance. Key differences that could be targeted to overcome cisplatin resistance are highlighted. We characterise the differences in treatment sensitivity, gene expression, inflammatory protein secretions, and metabolic rate in an isogenic cell culture model of acquired cisplatin resistance in OAC. Cisplatin-resistant cells (OE33 Cis R) were significantly more sensitive to other cytotoxic modalities, such as 2 Gy radiation (p = 0.0055) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (p = 0.0032) treatment than parental cisplatin-sensitive cells (OE33 Cis P). Gene expression profiling identified differences at the gene level between cisplatin-sensitive and cisplatin-resistant cells, uncovering 692 genes that were significantly altered between OE33 Cis R cells and OE33 Cis P cells. OAC is an inflammatory-driven cancer, and inflammatory secretome profiling identified 18 proteins secreted at significantly altered levels in OE33 Cis R cells compared to OE33 Cis P cells. IL-7 was the only cytokine to be secreted at a significantly higher levels from OE33 Cis R cells compared to OE33 Cis P cells. Additionally, we profiled the metabolic phenotype of OE33 Cis P and OE33 Cis R cells under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. The oxygen consumption rate, as a measure of oxidative phosphorylation, is significantly higher in OE33 Cis R cells under normoxic conditions. In contrast, under hypoxic conditions of 0.5% O2, the oxygen consumption rate is significantly lower in OE33 Cis R cells than OE33 Cis P cells. This study provides novel insights into the molecular and phenotypic changes in an isogenic OAC model of acquired cisplatin resistance, and highlights therapeutic targets to overcome cisplatin resistance in OAC. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anticancer Drugs)
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24 pages, 5747 KiB  
Article
Mechanism of the Dual Activities of Human CYP17A1 and Binding to Anti-Prostate Cancer Drug Abiraterone Revealed by a Novel V366M Mutation Causing 17,20 Lyase Deficiency
by Mónica Fernández-Cancio, Núria Camats, Christa E. Flück, Adam Zalewski, Bernhard Dick, Brigitte M. Frey, Raquel Monné, Núria Torán, Laura Audí and Amit V. Pandey
Pharmaceuticals 2018, 11(2), 37; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph11020037 - 29 Apr 2018
Cited by 27 | Viewed by 13491
Abstract
The CYP17A1 gene regulates sex steroid biosynthesis in humans through 17α-hydroxylase/17,20 lyase activities and is a target of anti-prostate cancer drug abiraterone. In a 46, XY patient with female external genitalia, together with a loss of function mutation S441P, we identified a novel [...] Read more.
The CYP17A1 gene regulates sex steroid biosynthesis in humans through 17α-hydroxylase/17,20 lyase activities and is a target of anti-prostate cancer drug abiraterone. In a 46, XY patient with female external genitalia, together with a loss of function mutation S441P, we identified a novel missense mutation V366M at the catalytic center of CYP17A1 which preferentially impaired 17,20 lyase activity. Kinetic experiments with bacterially expressed proteins revealed that V366M mutant enzyme can bind and metabolize pregnenolone to 17OH-pregnenolone, but 17OH-pregnenolone binding and conversion to dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) was impaired, explaining the patient’s steroid profile. Abiraterone could not bind and inhibit the 17α-hydroxylase activity of the CYP17A1-V366M mutant. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations showed that V366M creates a “one-way valve” and suggests a mechanism for dual activities of human CYP17A1 where, after the conversion of pregnenolone to 17OH-pregnenolone, the product exits the active site and re-enters for conversion to dehydroepiandrosterone. The V366M mutant also explained the effectiveness of the anti-prostate cancer drug abiraterone as a potent inhibitor of CYP17A1 by binding tightly at the active site in the WT enzyme. The V366M is the first human mutation to be described at the active site of CYP17A1 that causes isolated 17,20 lyase deficiency. Knowledge about the specificity of CYP17A1 activities is of importance for the development of treatments for polycystic ovary syndrome and inhibitors for prostate cancer therapy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anticancer Drugs)
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Review

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15 pages, 596 KiB  
Review
Can the Efficacy of [18F]FDG-PET/CT in Clinical Oncology Be Enhanced by Screening Biomolecular Profiles?
by Hazel O’Neill, Vinod Malik, Ciaran Johnston, John V Reynolds and Jacintha O’Sullivan
Pharmaceuticals 2019, 12(1), 16; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph12010016 - 23 Jan 2019
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 8485
Abstract
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a functional imaging modality widely used in clinical oncology. Over the years the sensitivity and specificity of PET has improved with the advent of specific radiotracers, increased technical accuracy of PET scanners and incremental experience of Radiologists. However, [...] Read more.
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a functional imaging modality widely used in clinical oncology. Over the years the sensitivity and specificity of PET has improved with the advent of specific radiotracers, increased technical accuracy of PET scanners and incremental experience of Radiologists. However, significant limitations exist—most notably false positives and false negatives. Additionally, the accuracy of PET varies between cancer types and in some cancers, is no longer considered a standard imaging modality. This review considers the relative influence of macroscopic tumour features such as size and morphology on 2-Deoxy-2-[18F]fluoroglucose ([18F]FDG) uptake by tumours which, though well described in the literature, lacks a comprehensive assessment of biomolecular features which may influence [18F]FDG uptake. The review aims to discuss the potential influence of individual molecular markers of glucose transport, glycolysis, hypoxia and angiogenesis in addition to the relationships between these key cellular processes and their influence on [18F]FDG uptake. Finally, the potential role for biomolecular profiling of individual tumours to predict positivity on PET imaging is discussed to enhance accuracy and clinical utility. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anticancer Drugs)
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20 pages, 466 KiB  
Review
Cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and COX-1 Inhibitors in Cancer: A Review of Oncology and Medicinal Chemistry Literature
by Alessandra Pannunzio and Mauro Coluccia
Pharmaceuticals 2018, 11(4), 101; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph11040101 - 11 Oct 2018
Cited by 100 | Viewed by 9827
Abstract
Prostaglandins and thromboxane are lipid signaling molecules deriving from arachidonic acid by the action of the cyclooxygenase isoenzymes COX-1 and COX-2. The role of cyclooxygenases (particularly COX-2) and prostaglandins (particularly PGE2) in cancer-related inflammation has been extensively investigated. In contrast, COX-1 [...] Read more.
Prostaglandins and thromboxane are lipid signaling molecules deriving from arachidonic acid by the action of the cyclooxygenase isoenzymes COX-1 and COX-2. The role of cyclooxygenases (particularly COX-2) and prostaglandins (particularly PGE2) in cancer-related inflammation has been extensively investigated. In contrast, COX-1 has received less attention, although its expression increases in several human cancers and a pathogenetic role emerges from experimental models. COX-1 and COX-2 isoforms seem to operate in a coordinate manner in cancer pathophysiology, especially in the tumorigenesis process. However, in some cases, exemplified by the serous ovarian carcinoma, COX-1 plays a pivotal role, suggesting that other histopathological and molecular subtypes of cancer disease could share this feature. Importantly, the analysis of functional implications of COX-1-signaling, as well as of pharmacological action of COX-1-selective inhibitors, should not be restricted to the COX pathway and to the effects of prostaglandins already known for their ability of affecting the tumor phenotype. A knowledge-based choice of the most appropriate tumor cell models, and a major effort in investigating the COX-1 issue in the more general context of arachidonic acid metabolic network by using the systems biology approaches, should be strongly encouraged. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anticancer Drugs)
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22 pages, 10994 KiB  
Review
Antibody-Drug Conjugates for Cancer Therapy: Chemistry to Clinical Implications
by Nirnoy Dan, Saini Setua, Vivek K. Kashyap, Sheema Khan, Meena Jaggi, Murali M. Yallapu and Subhash C. Chauhan
Pharmaceuticals 2018, 11(2), 32; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph11020032 - 09 Apr 2018
Cited by 165 | Viewed by 17005
Abstract
Chemotherapy is one of the major therapeutic options for cancer treatment. Chemotherapy is often associated with a low therapeutic window due to its poor specificity towards tumor cells/tissues. Antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) technology may provide a potentially new therapeutic solution for cancer treatment. ADC [...] Read more.
Chemotherapy is one of the major therapeutic options for cancer treatment. Chemotherapy is often associated with a low therapeutic window due to its poor specificity towards tumor cells/tissues. Antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) technology may provide a potentially new therapeutic solution for cancer treatment. ADC technology uses an antibody-mediated delivery of cytotoxic drugs to the tumors in a targeted manner, while sparing normal cells. Such a targeted approach can improve the tumor-to-normal tissue selectivity and specificity in chemotherapy. Considering its importance in cancer treatment, we aim to review recent efforts for the design and development of ADCs. ADCs are mainly composed of an antibody, a cytotoxic payload, and a linker, which can offer selectivity against tumors, anti-cancer activity, and stability in systemic circulation. Therefore, we have reviewed recent updates and principal considerations behind ADC designs, which are not only based on the identification of target antigen, cytotoxic drug, and linker, but also on the drug-linker chemistry and conjugation site at the antibody. Our review focuses on site-specific conjugation methods for producing homogenous ADCs with constant drug-antibody ratio (DAR) in order to tackle several drawbacks that exists in conventional conjugation methods. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anticancer Drugs)
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