Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADCs) for Treatment of Solid Tumors

In this opening segment, the expert panel introduces the evolving role of antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) in the treatment of solid tumors and sets the stage for a focused discussion on ocular toxicities. The moderator and faculty—representing lung, breast, and gynecologic oncology as well as ophthalmology—outline how ADCs combine targeted monoclonal antibodies with cytotoxic payloads to deliver chemotherapy more precisely to cancer cells. The panel highlights key mechanisms such as internalization, targeted payload release, and the bystander effect, which allows cytotoxic agents to affect neighboring tumor cells that may not express the target antigen. Within breast cancer specifically, the experts note that four ADCs are now approved in the metastatic setting and have significantly improved progression-free and overall survival. As ADCs gain prominence across tumor types, the panel underscores the importance of proactively identifying, monitoring, and managing ocular adverse events, which will be the central focus of the discussion moving forward.