Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) solutions

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are a class of targeted cytotoxic therapies that are changing the landscape of cancer treatment. They have revitalized well-established cancer biomarkers, like HER2, and unleashed the potential of any cancer-associated antigen as an ADC target.

To create a successful ADC, developers must address challenging questions, such as:

• How, and to what extent must the ADC target be expressed on cancer cells?
• How effectively does the ADC kill target cells?
• Does the ADC have off-target and/or off-tumor effects?
• Does the ADC trigger immune activation?

To improve ADC efficacy and streamline development, you need a partner that offers a comprehensive suite of platforms and assays for a data-driven approach in the assessment of your ADC’s performance.

Adequate target engagement is essential for effective ADC-cancer cell binding, driving internalization and therapeutic action. Assess all aspects of target engagement with our extensive assay offerings.

Target expression

A multiplatform approach for reliable target expression measurement

• Target expression in solid tumor using immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunofluorescence (IF)
• Liquid biopsy target expression assessment using flow cytometry
• Quantitative, reagent-free target detection using mass spectrometry
• Evaluation of gene and target expression correlation using PCR
• Deep transcriptomic analysis using bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing

Target density

Assessing ADC target density and expression pattern is essential for predicting overall therapeutic response. Conduct advanced in-depth target expression quantification with:

• Continuous scoring methods with both visual pathologist scoring methods and semi-quantitative HALO image analysis algorithms that can be validated to support exploratory, secondary and primary endpoints, patient stratification, and patient selection.

Learn more about our advanced assays for measuring target density.

Drug-target binding efficiency

To understand whether insufficient binding could impact efficacy, we can measure downstream consequences of ADC binding. We can assess:

• The extent of ADC target engagement through flow cytometry receptor occupancy (RO)  assays
• Downstream analysis of transcriptomic changes at the bulk (RNAseq) and/or single-cell levels (CITE-seq)

ADC presence and stability

For assessing ADC pharmacokinetics, we offer a mass spectrometry-based method that is affinity reagent-free, supporting quantification in the early stages of development where affinity reagents might be unavailable.

Profiling the TME is critical to understanding variations in patient and tumor responses to ADCs. CellCarta can support here by:

• Evaluating TME immune cell infiltration, through flow cytometry, multiplex IF and multiplex IHC, and CITE-seq and bulk RNAseq
• Investigating spatial distribution of immune cells and cells expressing the target of interest in the TME through advanced spatial biology technologies (Visium, GeoMx, COMET)

Discover our in-depth TME monitoring capabilities.

To precisely assess on-target, off-target toxicities so you can understand, and eventually minimize, unintended effects on healthy tissues, we offer:

• Evaluation of target expression in normal tissues using mIF and mIHC
• Monitoring of absolute counts of circulating target-expressing cells with flow cytometry
• Investigating toxicity pathways using bulk RNA sequencing and downstream gene set enrichment analysis

In addition to our breadth of assays and services, you can benefit from our:  

• Comprehensive sample management and logistics services: we can take care of handling, transport, and storage of blood samples and fresh biopsies 

• Global presence: we have facilities in Canada, USA, Belgium, Australia, and China

• Companion diagnostic (CDx) expertise: with extensive experience and deep regulatory knowledge, we can help transition assays into CDx applications  

• CAP/CLIA accredited laboratories: CellCarta is fully compliant, and meets the highest standards of quality  

Download our brochure today, or contact us to discuss your antibody-drug conjugate program.