Antibody-drug conjugates for treating early-stage breast cancer: current use, anticipated evolutions

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) combine the specificity of monoclonal antibodies with potent cytotoxic payloads, leading to improved tumor delivery of the latter. After improving outcomes for patients with metastatic disease, ADC testing moved to the curative setting, where already one agent (trastuzumab emtansine) has been approved, after demonstrating to improve overall survival. Herein, we review the rationale, evidence, and challenges with the use of ADCs in the early-stage setting.