Economics of Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADCs): Innovation, Investment and Market Dynamics.

Purpose Of Review: This review aims to explore the intricate interplay between scientific advancements and economic considerations in the development, production, and commercialization of Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADCs). The focus is on understanding the challenges and opportunities at this unique intersection, highlighting how scientific innovation and economic dynamics mutually influence the trajectory of ADCs in the pharmaceutical landscape.

Recent Findings: There has been a significant increase in interest and investment in the development of ADCs.

Mask use among health care workers and feelings of safety at work pre- and post- COVID-19 vaccine.

Background: Correct mask use can prevent the spread of COVID-19 and hospitals require correct mask use. Despite this, there is variation in mask use among health care workers (HCW). Incorrect mask use may lead to increased infections and decreased feelings of safety.

Annexin A2 is a molecular target for TM601, a peptide with tumor-targeting and anti-angiogenic effects.

TM601 is a synthetic form of chlorotoxin, a 36-amino acid peptide derived from the venom of the Israeli scorpion, Leirius quinquestriatus, initially found to specifically bind and inhibit the migration of glioma cells in culture. Subsequent studies demonstrated specific in vitro binding to additional tumor cell lines. Recently, we demonstrated that proliferating human vascular endothelial cells are the only normal cell line tested that exhibits specific binding to TM601.

Design considerations for tumour-targeted nanoparticles.

Inorganic/organic hybrid nanoparticles are potentially useful in biomedicine, but to avoid non-specific background fluorescence and long-term toxicity, they need to be cleared from the body within a reasonable timescale. Previously, we have shown that rigid spherical nanoparticles such as quantum dots can be cleared by the kidneys if they have a hydrodynamic diameter of approximately 5.5 nm and a zwitterionic surface charge.

A dose- and time-controllable syngeneic animal model of breast cancer microcalcification.

The development of novel diagnostic agents for the detection of breast cancer microcalcifications requires a reliable animal model. Based on previous work from our group, we hypothesized that a single systemic injection of recombinant bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rBMP-2) could be used to create such a model. The cDNA encoding mature human BMP-2 was expressed in BL21(DE3) bacteria, purified to homogeneity, and refolded as a dimer.

Tissue- and organ-selective biodistribution of NIR fluorescent quantum dots.

A significant portion of the field of nanomedicine is predicated on being able to target nanoparticles to sites of disease. However, in vivo biodistribution and clearance of nanoparticles are poorly understood. In this study, a novel formulation of near-infrared fluorescent InAs(ZnS) quantum dots was synthesized and coated with a systematically increasing chain length of PEG.

Multivalent scaffolds for affinity maturation of small molecule cell surface binders and their application to prostate tumor targeting.

Adamantane scaffolds for affinity maturation of prostate cancer specific ligands of low molecular mass are described. These scaffolds are modular and can be used for conjugation of up to three ligands and an additional effector molecule by standard peptide coupling techniques. The potential of the scaffolds is demonstrated with the multimerization of GPI 1, a prostate cancer specific small molecule.

Detection of breast cancer microcalcifications using a dual-modality SPECT/NIR fluorescent probe.

Efficient chemical synthesis of a trifunctional, hydroxyapatite-binding molecule, which provides simultaneous in vivo imaging by NIR fluorescence and SPECT/CT has been described. Quantitation by SPECT provides the "gold standard" by which NIR fluorescence tomography of breast cancer microcalcifications can now be compared and optimized.

Microwave-assisted synthesis of near-infrared fluorescent sphingosine derivatives.

Microwave-assisted synthesis of near-infrared fluorescent sphingosine derivatives is described, and the utility of the probes demonstrated by co-localization studies with visible wavelength fluorescent sphingosine derivatives.

Water-soluble fullerene (C60) derivatives as nonviral gene-delivery vectors.

A new class of water-soluble C60 transfecting agents has been prepared using Hirsch-Bingel chemistry and assessed for their ability to act as gene-delivery vectors in vitro. In an effort to elucidate the relationship between the hydrophobicity of the fullerene core, the hydrophilicity of the water-solubilizing groups, and the overall charge state of the C60 vectors in gene delivery and expression, several different C60 derivatives were synthesized to yield either positively charged, negatively charged, or neutral chemical functionalities under physiological conditions. These fullerene derivatives were then tested for their ability to transfect cells grown in culture with DNA carrying the green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter gene.

Quantitation of CXCR4 expression in myocardial infarction using 99mTc-labeled SDF-1alpha.

Unlabelled: The chemokine stromal-derived factor-1alpha (SDF-1alpha, CXCL12) and its receptor CXCR4 are implicated as key mediators of hematopoietic stem cell retention, cancer metastasis, and HIV infection. Their role in myocardial infarction (MI) is not as well defined. The noninvasive in vivo quantitation of CXCR4 expression is central to understanding its importance in these diverse processes as well in the cardiac response to injury.

Renal clearance of quantum dots.

The field of nanotechnology holds great promise for the diagnosis and treatment of human disease. However, the size and charge of most nanoparticles preclude their efficient clearance from the body as intact nanoparticles. Without such clearance or their biodegradation into biologically benign components, toxicity is potentially amplified and radiological imaging is hindered.

Production of multimeric prostate-specific membrane antigen small-molecule radiotracers using a solid-phase 99mTc preloading strategy.

Unlabelled: Small-molecule ligands specific for prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) have the potential to improve prostate cancer imaging. However, highly charged ligands are difficult to label with 99mTc and to purify. In this study, we present an adamantane-trimerized small molecule that has nanomolar binding to PSMA and also has 12 negative charges.

An HPLC/mass spectrometry platform for the development of multimodality contrast agents and targeted therapeutics: prostate-specific membrane antigen small molecule derivatives.

The production of disease-targeted agents requires the covalent conjugation of a targeting molecule with a contrast agent or therapeutic, followed by purification of the product to homogeneity. Typical targeting molecules, such as small molecules and peptides, often have high charge-to-mass ratios and/or hydrophobicity. Contrast agents and therapeutics themselves are also diverse, and include lanthanide chelates for MRI, (99m)Tc chelates for SPECT, (90)Y chelates for radiotherapy, (18)F derivatives for PET, and heptamethine indocyanines for near-infrared fluorescent optical imaging.