Antibody Drug Conjugate (ADC) serves as a precise delivery system in cancer treatment, coupling monoclonal antibodies with toxin drug small molecules (Payloads) via linkers. By leveraging the targeting precision of antibodies and the potent killing capacity of payloads, ADC plays a pivotal role in cancer drug research and development. Upon entering the bloodstream, ADC can partially recognize and bind to tumor cell surface-specific antigens. It gets internalized by tumor cells to form early endosomes, which mature into late endosomes and eventually fuse with lysosomes. Subsequently, chemical reactions or enzyme lysis result in the release of an effective payload that targets DNA or microtubules, leading to tumor cell apoptosis.

The concept of ADC drugs was first proposed as early as 1900, but technical limitations kept it largely theoretical level for many years. The world's first ADC drug, Mylotarg, received approval in 2000 but was delisted in 2010 due to significant side effects. However, with the accumulation of clinical trial data, Mylotarg was re-approved by the FDA in 2017. In recent years, the field of ADC has experienced accelerated innovative development, driven by ongoing target research, advancement in payloads, and protein engineering within the pharmaceutical industry. Presently, a total of 15 ADC drugs have received approval.