While early stages of endometrial cancer (EC) are typically treated successfully with surgery and radiation, treatment options for advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer are limited and often less effective. However, a new class of targeted therapies called antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) shows promise for treating more severe forms of the disease.
What are antibody-drug conjugates?
Antibody-drug conjugates are a novel class of targeted cancer therapies designed to deliver highly potent cancer-killing drugs directly to tumor cells.
ADCs are made up of three parts:
- A monoclonal antibody that specifically recognizes and binds to a protein called an antigen, found on the surface of cancer cells.
- A cytotoxic drug, or the anti-cancer drug, which is far too toxic to be given alone in the bloodstream.
- A chemical linker that connects the antibody and the drug. This linker is designed to remain stable in the blood but to break apart once inside the target cell.
This approach delivers the toxic agent directly to cancer cells while, ideally, sparing most healthy tissues, reducing side effects and increasing treatment effectiveness.
Learn more about EC treatment and care
ADCs and endometrial cancer
Traditionally, endometrial cancer has not been a primary focus for ADC development, but this is changing. Researchers have identified specific antigens that are more commonly found on endometrial cancer cells than on normal cells, such as HER2, folate receptor α and trophoblast surface antigen-2 (Trop-2). These protein targets are now being explored in clinical trials for ADC-based treatments.
One particularly promising ADC for EC is trastuzumab deruxtecan (Enhertu), which targets the HER2 protein. The drug received accelerated approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2024 for second-line treatment of any HER-2 positive cancer. Preliminary studies have shown positive benefits for individuals with gynecological cancers, including EC, opening up a new treatment pathway.
Another ADC, sacituzumab govitecan, targets Trop-2 and is currently being assessed in clinical trials for safety and efficacy in EC patients who have not found success with standard therapies.
Looking to the future
While still in early stages of development for EC, antibody-drug conjugates could have a big impact on treatment outcomes of late-stage and recurrent EC in the future.
As more tumor-specific targets are discovered and clinical trials expand, ADCs could become a key component of personalized cancer treatment.
Sign up here to get the latest news, perspectives, and information about EC sent directly to your inbox. Registration is free and only takes a minute.
