TROP-2 directed antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs): The revolution of smart drug delivery in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

Background: Antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) represent a revolutionary drug class in cancer therapy, combining the precision of targeted therapy with the cytotoxic effects of chemotherapy. Promising activity of novel ADCs, namely Trastuzumab Deruxtecan and Patritumab Deruxtecan, has been observed in hard-to treat molecular subtypes, such as HER2-positive and heavily pretreated EGFR-mutant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). However, therapeutic advances are expected in certain subgroups of lung cancer patients, including non-oncogene-addicted NSCLC after failure of current standard of care (e.g., immunotherapy with or without chemotherapy, chemo-antiangiogenic treatment). Trophoblastic Cell Surface Antigen 2 (TROP-2) is a surface transmembrane glycoprotein member of the epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) family. TROP-2 represents a promising therapeutic target in refractory non-oncogene-addicted NSCLC.

Methodology: We performed a systematic literature search of the clinical trials about TROP-2 directed ADCs in NSCLC referenced in the pubmed.gov database, Cochrane Library database and clinicaltrial.gov database.

Results: First-in-humans ADCs targeting TROP-2, namely Sacituzumab Govitecan (SN-38) and Datopotamab Deruxtecan (Dxd), yielded promising activity signals in NSCLC with a manageable safety profile. Most common grade ≥ 3 adverse events (AEs) of Sacituzumab Govitecan included neutropenia (28 %), diarrhea (7 %), nausea (7 %), fatigue (6 %), and febrile neutropenia (4 %). Nausea and stomatitis were the most common all grade AEs with Datopotamab Deruxtecan; dyspnea, amylase increase, hyperglycemia and lymphopenia were reported as grade ≥ 3 AEs in less than 12 % of patients.

Conclusion: As more effective strategies are needed for patients with refractory non-oncogene-addicted NSCLC, the design of novel clinical trials with ADCs targeting TROP-2 is encouraged as both a monotherapy or combination strategy with existing agents (e.g., monoclonal antibodies targeting immune checkpoint inhibitors or chemotherapy).