Researchers have demonstrated that linking therapeutic antibodies to antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) *in vivo* using bioorthogonal click chemistry can enhance anti-tumor activity, even in treatment-resistant cancers. The study, published on July 15, 2026, details a method for overcoming drug resistance in heterogeneous tumors.
The research focuses on improving the effectiveness of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), a cancer therapy that delivers cytotoxic drugs directly to tumor cells. A key challenge with ADCs is that tumors often develop resistance mechanisms. This new approach aims to bypass these resistances by assembling the ADC *inside* the body, near the tumor itself.
The method involves using bioorthogonal click chemistry – a highly specific chemical reaction that doesn’t interfere with biological processes – to connect therapeutic antibodies directly to ADCs within the patient. According to the published article in *Nature*, this *in vivo* ligation leads to “enhanced antitumour activity in heterogeneous and treatment-resistant tumours.” The researchers found that by assembling the ADC components at the tumor site, they could overcome limitations associated with pre-formed ADCs and improve drug delivery.
The study’s findings suggest a potential new strategy for treating cancers that have become resistant to conventional therapies. By utilizing click chemistry to create ADCs *in vivo*, scientists hope to achieve more effective and targeted cancer treatment.
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