The potential roles of antibody-drug conjugates in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Purpose of review: To summarize the actual antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) tested for patients with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), outlining the results of safety and efficacy through published clinical trials.

Recent findings: ADCs combine the specificity of mAbs with the cytotoxic drug (known as payload) via a chemical linker and it is designed to selectively deliver the ultratoxic payload directly to the target cancer cells. To date, various ADCs have been investigated in multiple solid malignancies and others are in clinical development. In this study, we provide an overview of the structure and biology of ADC and we review recent clinical experience with the ADC in patients with advanced HNSCC, followed by a brief discussion of the evolvement of ADC conception, drug resistance and future perspectives.

Summary: ADC strategy is emerging as a potential active treatment in previously treated patients with advanced HNSCC. However, the recent improvement in the bioengineering of ADC and a better comprehension of sequencing and association strategies could provide more benefit to HNSCC patients in need of innovative therapy.