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In this episode, we delve into the exciting developments in antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) presented at the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.

ADCs are a promising class of treatment that combines an antibody with a chemotherapy drug, aiming to target and kill cancer cells more effectively while reducing side effects. We discuss approved ADCs like Enhertu and Trodelvy, and highlight that there's an ADC available for every breast cancer subtype. With many more ADCs in clinical and preclinical trials, the future looks hopeful for breast cancer treatment.

We explain the structure of ADCs, which includes the antibody that targets cancer cells, the cytotoxic drug that kills the cells, and the linker that holds them together. We also touch on the importance of choosing treatment types based on personal circumstances, such as age and family responsibilities, as different treatments come with varying side effects.

During the episode, we cover two clinical trials in detail. The first is about Datopotamab Deruxtecan (DATO-DXD), which showed promising results in hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative patients, offering increased progression-free survival and different side effect profiles compared to traditional chemotherapy. The second trial combined DATO-DXD with the immunotherapy drug Durvalumab for advanced and metastatic triple-negative breast cancer, showing a high response rate and manageable side effects.

Our guest, Katie, shares her personal experiences with ADCs and provides insights into side effect management. She emphasizes the importance of dose adjustments and monitoring for specific side effects like nausea, vomiting, and interstitial lung disease. Katie also mentions the ongoing research to optimize dosing, detect side effects earlier, and engineer drugs with lower toxicity.

As always, we remind our listeners that the information shared on our podcast is based on personal experiences and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. We encourage you to reach out to your medical care team with any questions or concerns.

00:00:47 - Overview of Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADCs)
00:03:37 - FDA-Approved ADC Examples
00:04:49 - Datopotamab Deruxtecan (DATO-DXD) Clinical Trial Insights
00:07:10 - Combining DATO-DXD with Immunotherapy
00:08:23 - Managing ADC Side Effects
00:09:53 - Specific Recommendations for Current ADCs
00:11:09 - Future Directions in ADC Development

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