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Animal model or human cells: efficacy evidence for approved ADCs

From the FDA and EMA reviews of all 14 approved ADCs. Each answer links to the regulator's own sentence.

Check my plan against these
Short answer
0 of 14 approved ADCs never tested the clinical molecule in an animal disease model; 0 rested on human cells or in vitro data alone.
In vivo disease model14/14

Precedent by precedent

14 approved ADCs, with the reviewers' own words.

Adcetris

brentuximab vedotin · CD30
Efficacy evidence
Three xenograft models from human HL and ALCL cell lines
“In vivo anti-tumour activity of brentuximab vedotin was demonstrated in three xenograft transplant models derived from human HL and ALCL cell lines.”
✓ VerifiedEMA assessment report, p. 24Source ↗
Why that model
Not stated in public reviews

Besponsa

inotuzumab ozogamicin · CD22
Efficacy evidence
Subcutaneous xenograft and systemically disseminated ALL mouse models
“The in vivo antitumor activity of inotuzumab ozogamicin was evaluated in xenograft and systemically disseminated ALL mouse models.”
✓ VerifiedFDA multi-discipline review, p. 33Source ↗
Why that model
Not stated in public reviews

Datroway

datopotamab deruxtecan · Trop-2
Efficacy evidence
Nude mouse xenografts of human pancreatic cancer, NSCLC and breast cancer
“Four in vivo studies were performed with datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd) administered intravenously to nude mouse xenograft models of human pancreatic cancer, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and breast cancer, with the two latter being in line with the sought indications.”
✓ VerifiedEMA assessment report, p. 35Source ↗
Why that model
Not stated in public reviews

Decnupaz

pivekimab sunirine · CD123
Efficacy evidence
Two BPDCN patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models in NSG mice
“In vivo activity was evaluated against two patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models of BPDCN using immunocompromised (NSG) mice and weekly intravenous injections beginning 24 hours after FcR blockade for three weeks.”
✓ VerifiedFDA multi-discipline review, p. 41Source ↗
Why that model
Not stated in public reviews

Elahere

mirvetuximab soravtansine · FRα
Efficacy evidence
Ovarian cancer xenograft mouse models (single IV dose)
“In vivo, mirvetuximab soravtansine delayed tumor growth and caused tumor regression in several ovarian cancer xenograft mouse models when mice were administered a single IV dose of mirvetuximab soravtansine containing antibody doses as low as 1.2 mg/kg and DM4 dose of 25 µg/kg.”
✓ VerifiedFDA multi-discipline review, p. 37Source ↗
Why that model
Not stated in public reviews

Emrelis

telisotuzumab vedotin · c-Met
Efficacy evidence
c-Met-positive NSCLC cell line-derived and patient-derived xenograft mouse models
“In vivo, telisotuzumab vedotin exhibited antitumor activity in c-Met-positive NSCLC cell line-derived xenograft mouse models and an NSCLC patient-derived xenograft model.”
✓ VerifiedFDA multi-discipline review, p. 33Source ↗
Why that model
Not stated in public reviews

Enhertu

fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan · HER2
Efficacy evidence
HER2-positive breast cancer xenograft mouse models (e.g., KPL-4 in nude mice)
“The anti-tumor activity of DS-8201a was evaluated in several mouse models of breast cancer. In a mouse xenograft model of HER2-positive breast cancer, the activity of a single dose of 10 mg/kg DS-8201a or MAAL-9001 was evaluated 13 days after inoculation of KPL-4 cells to female CAnN.Cg-Foxn1nu/CrlCrlj nude mice”
✓ VerifiedFDA multi-discipline review, p. 45Source ↗
Why that model
Not stated in public reviews

Kadcyla

ado-trastuzumab emtansine · HER2
Efficacy evidence
HER2+ xenografts (BT-474 EI, Calu-3) and MMTV-HER2 transgenic tumor model; growth inhibition in all three at 3 to 31 mg/kg
“Trastuzumab-MCC-DM1 caused tumor growth inhibition in all three models in the dose range of 3 to 31 mg/kg, depending on the model.”
✓ VerifiedFDA pharmacology/toxicology review, p. 147Source ↗
Why that model
Mouse models carrying human HER2-positive tumors (human cell-line xenografts) allowed testing of the clinical ADC
“Anti-tumor activity of trastuzumab emtansine was evaluated in three independent animal models of HER2-positive human cancers (not formally reviewed). Two of these are xenograft models using human tumor cell lines.”
✓ VerifiedFDA pharmacology/toxicology review, p. 147Source ↗

Mylotarg

gemtuzumab ozogamicin · CD33
Efficacy evidence
CD33+ HL-60 leukemia xenograft in mice: >80% tumor growth inhibition
“In vivo antitumor effects of CMA-676 were studied in an HL-60 xenograft tumor model. CMA-676 showed a dose-response effect with >80% inhibition of tumor growth at doses between 0.8 and 2.4 mg/m2 NAc-gamma calicheamicin DMH equivalents”
✓ VerifiedFDA pharmacology/toxicology review, p. 13Source ↗
Why that model
Not stated in public reviews

Padcev

enfortumab vedotin · Nectin-4
Efficacy evidence
Nectin-4-expressing patient-derived bladder cancer xenografts (AG-B1, AG-B8) in mice: >75% tumor growth inhibition
“In vivo, enfortumab vedotin administration to AG-B1 and AG-B8 (cells expressing human Nectin-4) patient-derived human bladder cancer xenograft mouse models resulted in >75% tumor growth inhibition relative to the unconjugated antibody and the control (5% dextrose).”
✓ VerifiedFDA multi-discipline review, p. 33Source ↗
Why that model
Not stated in public reviews

Polivy

polatuzumab vedotin · CD79b
Efficacy evidence
Human DLBCL and B-cell lymphoma xenografts in mice; in vitro Ramos cytotoxicity
“Polatuzumab vedotin demonstrated anti-tumor activity in vitro in CD79b expressing human Burkitt lymphoma (Ramos) cells (IC50 = 0.071 nM) and in vivo in DLBCL and human B-cell lymphoma mouse xenograft models.”
✓ VerifiedFDA pharmacology/toxicology review, p. 10Source ↗
Why that model
Xenograft line co-expressing human and cynomolgus CD79b allowed comparison of clinical and surrogate ADC
“The anti-tumour activity of polatuzumab Ab, polatuzumab vedotin and of the surrogate Ab and ADC was compared in a murine xenograft model with the BJAB Burkitt lymphoma transfectant cell line which expresses comparable amounts of human CD79b and recombinant Cynomolgus CD79b.”
✓ VerifiedEMA assessment report, p. 32Source ↗

Tivdak

tisotumab vedotin · Tissue factor
Efficacy evidence
Cervical cancer patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models in mice
“In vivo, anti-tumor activity and/or tumor regression was seen in cervical cancer patient derived xenograft (PDX) models when mice were administered tisotumab vedotin at 4 mg/kg twice in the first week of study via intravenous dosing.”
✓ VerifiedFDA multi-discipline review, p. 32Source ↗
Why that model
Tisotumab does not bind mouse, rat, rabbit, pig or dog TF
“Tisotumab did not bind to mouse, rat, rabbit, pig, or dog TF.”
✓ VerifiedFDA multi-discipline review, p. 34Source ↗

Trodelvy

sacituzumab govitecan · Trop-2
Efficacy evidence
Mouse xenografts bearing human Trop-2-expressing tumours
“Primary pharmacology was tested in murine xenograft models bearing human Trop-2 expressing tumors.”
✓ VerifiedEMA assessment report, p. 23Source ↗
Why that model
hRS7 does not bind mouse or rat Trop-2 despite ~80% homology
“Despite approx. 80% sequence homology at the protein level between human and rodent Trop-2, hRS7 did not bind to mouse and rat Trop-2.”
✓ VerifiedEMA assessment report, p. 25Source ↗

Zynlonta

loncastuximab tesirine · CD19
Efficacy evidence
CD19-positive human Burkitt lymphoma (Ramos, Daudi) and DLBCL (WSU-DLCL2) xenografts in immunodeficient mice
“The in vivo activity of ADCT‐402 was evaluated in immunodeficient mice subcutaneously (SC) xenografted with the CD19 positive human Ramos or Daudi Burkitt’s lymphoma cell lines or with the CD19 positive human DLBCL cell line, WSU‐DLCL2 (Study No. ADCT‐402_R_007_R).”
✓ VerifiedFDA multi-discipline review, p. 43Source ↗
Why that model
Antibody selective for human CD19; not cross-reactive with CD19 of any nonclinical species
“The monoclonal antibody (mAb) component of loncastuximab tesirine, RB4v1.2, is selective for human CD19 and not cross‐reactive with CD19 from any nonclinical species.”
✓ VerifiedFDA multi-discipline review, p. 37Source ↗