Site-Selective Anti-PD-L1 Antibody–MMAE Conjugate for Enhanced NSCLC Therapy

Nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) presents significant therapeutic challenges, causing advancements in targeted therapies. We have developed a site-selective antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), durvalumab-monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE), with a drug-antibody ratio (DAR) of 4, specifically targeting programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), aimed at enhancing NSCLC therapy. Utilizing the innovative AbClick Pro linker, this ADC ensures stable, site-specific conjugation of MMAE to durvalumab, preserving antibody functionality and integrity. In vivo studies demonstrate that durvalumab-MMAE achieves substantial tumor growth inhibition in NSCLC xenograft models, with an impressive tumor growth inhibition rate of over 60% at lower dosages without significant toxicity. These results, combined with a favorable pharmacokinetic profile featuring extended half-life and low clearance, highlight the potential of durvalumab-MMAE (DAR4) as a potent next-generation ADC for treating PD-L1-expressing cancers, offering a promising avenue for improved NSCLC patient outcomes.