Antibody-drug conjugates in the treatment of breast cancer

Abstract

Breast cancer is one of the most common causes of death in women and requires therapies that are both more precise and less toxic. Recently, antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) have emerged as a promising strategy by selectively direct cytotoxic agents to tumor cells. The aim of this review was to investigate the efficacy, safety, and limitations of these antibodies in breast cancer treatment, and discuss their future perspectives and clinical challenges such as resistance and toxicity. This narrative review is based on a search of Pubmed, Scielo, Science Direct and INCA databases, including clinical and preclinical studies and reviews that have investigated the mechanisms of action, efficacy, and safety of ADCs over the last 15 years. Evidence from clinical trials suggests that therapy may prolong survival and reduce toxicity compared to conventional treatments, as demonstrated in clinical trials in HER2+ and TNBC patients. However, the occurrence of adverse events, resistance to therapy, and challenges in conjugating the components point to the need for optimized approaches. Overall, the results suggest that despite the challenges, this technology represents a significant advance in breast cancer therapy and that the integration of combined and personalized strategies may enhance antibody efficacy, overcome current barriers and contribute to better clinical outcomes.