Dr. Cobleigh on Antibody-Drug Conjugates in Development in HER2+ Breast Cancer

Melody A. Cobleigh, MD, professor of medical oncology at Rush University Medical Center, discusses antibody—drug conjugates (ADCs) under development in HER2-positive breast cancer.

There are several ADCs in development. For example, the Daiichi Sankyo compound, known as [fam-] trastuzumab deruxtecan (DS-8201), has shown some very promising results, says Cobleigh. According to the manufacturer, an accelerated filing of a biologics license application is planned for the first half of 2019 for DS-8201 as a treatment for patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer previously treated with ado-trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1; Kadcyla).

There are 3 ongoing phase III trials that will inform whether or not the drug will end up in the paradigm, adds Cobleigh. The unique aspect about ADCs is that they offer a safer way to give chemotherapy. However, they are not without toxicity. Understanding better ways to deliver these compounds to reduce toxicity is the focus of a lot of research right now, she concludes.