Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) stand at the verge of a transformation. Scores of clinical programs have yielded only a few regulatory approvals, but a wave of technological innovation now empowers us to overcome past technical challenges. This volume focuses on the next generation of ADCs and the innovations that will enable them. The book inspires the future by integrating the field’s history with novel strategies and cutting-edge technologies. While the book primarily addresses ADCs for solid tumors, the last chapter explores the emerging interest in using ADCs to treat other diseases. The therapeutic rationale of ADCs is strong: to direct small molecules to the desired site of action (and away from normal tissues) by conjugation to antibodies or other targeting moieties. However, the combination of small and large molecules imposes deep complexity to lead optimization, pharmacokinetics, toxicology, analytics and manufacturing. The field has made significant advances in all of these areas by improving target selection, ADC design, manufacturing methods and clinical strategies. These innovations will inspire and educate scientists who are designing next-generation ADCs with the potential to transform the lives of patients.

The covalent conjugation of potent cytotoxic agents to monoclonal antibodies, known as antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) is a powerful approach in the field of targeted treatment of cancer. Clearly, both monoclonal antibody and cytotoxic payload are crucial elements in determining the clinical value of an ADC and have receive ample attention. However, the structural element connecting the two –the chemical linker– also plays an essential role in mode-of-action, efficacy, pharmacokinetics and safety profile of an ADC, but is often underappreciated in considerations of ADC design. Chemical Linkers in Antibody–Drug Conjugates aims to shine a detailed light on the various key attributes of chemical linkers in ADCs, for drug-to-antibody ratio, for stability, for release mechanism of payload, for pharmacokinetics, for stability determination, and for efficacy and safety. Ideal for postgraduate students and active researchers in drug discovery and development, this book provides a comprehensive description of linkers used in ADCs (clinical and late preclinical), insight into key quality attributes of linkers for ADCs, and aids the reader in understanding the role of linker chemistry and designing new ADCs.

Antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) represent one of the most promising and exciting areas of anticancer drug discovery. Five ADCs are now approved in the US and EU [i.e., ado-trastuzumab emtansine (Kadcyla™), brentuximab vedotin (Adcetris™), inotuzumab ozogamicin (Besponsa™), gemtuzumab ozogamicin (Mylotarg™) and moxetumomab pasudotox-tdfk (Lumoxiti®)] and over 70 others are in various stages of clinical development, with impressive interim results being reported for many. The technology is based on the concept of delivering a cytotoxic payload selectively to cancer cells by attaching it to an antibody targeted to antigens on the cell surfaces. This approach has several advantages including the ability to select patients as likely responders based on the presence of antigen on the surface of their cancer cells and a wider therapeutic index, given that ADC targeting enables a more efficient delivery of cytotoxic agents to cancer cells than can be achieved by conventional chemotherapy, thus minimising systemic toxicity. Although there are many examples of antibodies that have been developed for this purpose, along with numerous linker technologies used to attach the cytotoxic agent to the antibody, there is presently a relatively small number of payload molecules in clinical use. The purpose of this book is to describe the variety of payloads used to date, along with a discussion of their advantages and disadvantages and to provide information on novel payloads at the research stage that may be used clinically in the future.

This book describes the newest developments in antibody drug conjugates and immunotoxins, paving their way to clinical application. Lessons learned from the current state of the art are used to further improve our understanding of their mechanisms of action and off target activities. The book introduces scientists to all of the prerequisites that must be properly addressed, including identification of the right target, specific traits of target binding antibodies, proper selection of the toxic payload, internalization induced by binding, and next generation conjugation and linker technologies. These knowledge-based, revolutionary new drug principles will form the cornerstone of the future standard of care and will lead to major advances in application, as well as improved quality of life and patient survival rates. This book will be of interest to biotech companies and researchers working in the fields of immunology, pharmacology, and oncology.

The second volume in the CURRENT TOPICS IN NONCLINICAL DRUG DEVELOPMENT SERIES explores the critical issues and current topics in nonclinical drug development. This second volume covers individual topics and strategies in drug development from compound characterization to drug registration. Written by a variety of experts in the field, recent and rapid advances in technologies and associated changes in regulatory guidance are discussed. Select topics include: Evolution of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies and the impact on toxicologic pathology. Current approaches to carcinogenicity testing. Predicting drug-drug interactions. Current understanding of idiosyncratic drug reaction. Assessing cardiovascular risks beyond QT interval. Use of 3D cell cultures in toxicology and ADME. Development of small molecule-antibody complexes. Differentiating adverse from non-adverse findings in nonclinical studies. Current Topics in Nonclinical Drug Development: Volume 2 will aid toxicologists, toxicologic pathologists, consultants, regulators, study directors, and nonclinical scientists dealing with day-to-day issues encountered in drug development and assist in formulating strategies for resolution of these issues. In addition, the book will be a valuable reference for academicians and graduate students pursuing research related to nonclinical drug development.

Translational Medicine: Optimizing Preclinical Safety Evaluation of Biopharmaceuticals provides scientists responsible for the translation of novel biopharmaceuticals into clinical trials with a better understanding of how to navigate the obstacles that keep innovative medical research discoveries from becoming new therapies or even making it to clinical trials. The book includes sections on protein-based therapeutics, modified proteins, oligonucleotide-based therapies, monoclonal antibodies, antibody–drug conjugates, gene and cell-based therapies, gene-modified cell-based therapies, combination products, and therapeutic vaccines. Best practices are defined for efficient discovery research to facilitate a science-based, efficient, and predictive preclinical development program to ensure clinical efficacy and safety. Key Features: Defines best practices for leveraging of discovery research to facilitate a development program Includes general principles, animal models, biomarkers, preclinical toxicology testing paradigms, and practical applications Discusses rare diseases Discusses "What-Why-When-How" highlighting different considerations based upon product attributes. Includes special considerations for rare diseases About the Editors Joy A. Cavagnaro is an internationally recognized expert in preclinical development and regulatory strategy with an emphasis on genetic medicines.. Her 40-year career spans academia, government (FDA), and the CRO and biotech industries. She was awarded the 2019 Arnold J Lehman Award from the Society of Toxicology for introducing the concept of science-based, case-by-case approach to preclinical safety evaluation, which became the foundation of ICH S6. She currently serves on scientific advisory boards for advocacy groups and companies and consults and lectures in the area of preclinical development of novel therapies. Mary Ellen Cosenza is a regulatory toxicology consultant with over 30 years of senior leadership experience in the biopharmaceutical industry in the U.S., Europe, and emerging markets. She has held leadership position in both the American College of Toxicology (ACT) and the International Union of Toxicology (IUTOX) and is also an adjunct assistant professor at the University of Southern California where she teaches graduate-level courses in toxicology and regulation of biologics.

Overcoming Obstacles in Drug Discovery and Development uses real-world case studies to illustrate how critical thinking and problem solving skills are applied in the discovery and development of drugs. It also shows how developing critical thinking to overcome issues plays an essential role in the process. Modern drug discovery and development is a highly complex undertaking that requires scientific and professional expertise to be successful. After the identification of a molecular entity for treating a medical condition, challenges inevitably arise during the subsequent development to understand and characterize the biological profile; feedback from scientists is used to fine-tune the molecular entity to obtain an effective and safe product. In this process, the discovery team may identify unexpected safety issues and new medical disorders for treatment by the molecular entity. Invariably inherent in this complex undertaking are miscues, mistakes, and unexpected problems that can derail development and throw timetables into disarray, potentially leading to failure in the development of a medically useful drug. Addressing critical unexpected problems during development often requires scientists to utilize critical thinking and imaginative problem-solving skills. Overcoming Obstacles in Drug Discovery and Development will be essential to young scientists to help learn the skills to successfully face challenges, learn from mistakes, and further develop critical thinking skills. It will also be beneficial to experienced researchers who can learn from the case studies of successful and unsuccessful drug development. - Provides real-world case studies in drug discovery and the development of drugs - Illustrates the use of critical thinking and problem solving in approaching preclinical and clinical problems in drug discovery and development - Illustrates and analyses examples of successes and failures in drug discovery and development that have not previously been reported

Progress in Medicinal Chemistry, Volume 62 provides a review of eclectic developments in medicinal chemistry, with each chapter written by an international board of authors. - Provides extended, timely reviews of topics in medicinal chemistry - Contains targets and technologies relevant to the discovery of tomorrow's drugs - Presents analyses of successful drug discovery programs

Providing practical and proven solutions for antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) drug discovery success in oncology, this book helps readers improve the drug safety and therapeutic efficacy of ADCs to kill targeted tumor cells. • Discusses the basics, drug delivery strategies, pharmacology and toxicology, and regulatory approval strategies • Covers the conduct and design of oncology clinical trials and the use of ADCs for tumor imaging • Includes case studies of ADCs in oncology drug development • Features contributions from highly-regarded experts on the frontlines of ADC research and development

Nanomedicine in Cancer Immunotherapy bridges the two disciplines of nanotechnology and immunology, summarizing the latest research into novel cancer treatments, often personalized to the patient.This book covers a wide range of nanomaterial types for use in cancer immunotherapy, including hydrogel, lipid, exosome, gold and peptide nanoparticles. The preparation, application, pros and cons of each nanomaterial class is reviewed, helping the reader understand the potential for each and tailor their selection to their needs. Nanovaccines are also covered, along with a clinical evaluation and market analysis of nanomedicines for immunotherapy, offering an important clinical and commercial overview of this rapidly developing field.Nanomedicine in Cancer Immunotherapy is an interesting reference for those working in the fields of nanotechnology, immunology and cancer therapeutics, as well as clinicians with an interest in novel nano-based cancer treatments. - Provides a single source for a review of the latest research in the development of nanomaterials for cancer immunotherapy - Introduces the reader to basic principles of immunology and immunotherapy to aid our understanding - Details a wide range of nanomaterial classes for cancer immunotherapy, with advantages and disadvantages thoroughly analyzed