Objective:

To outline the current clinical trial landscape of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) in colorectal cancer (CRC) and identify research gaps and future directions.

Approach:

Key Findings:

• 194 eligible trials identified, with a steady increase since 2020, peaking in 2024.
• Most trials are open and predominantly conducted in China and the United States, heavily industry-sponsored.
• HER2, Trop-2, and c-Met are the most frequently studied targets, with topoisomerase I inhibitors as the common payloads.
• The majority of trials are in early phases (Phase I/II), focusing on safety and tolerability.

Interpretation:

ADCs show preliminary therapeutic potential in CRC; however, broad efficacy claims must be cautious due to the early-stage nature of trials.

Limitations:

• Challenges include publication bias and industry dominance prioritizing commercially viable targets.
• Many trials have been terminated, suspended, or withdrawn, with reasons often undisclosed.

Conclusion:

Future progress in ADCs for CRC relies on discovering novel targets, optimizing linker-payload designs, and exploring rational combination therapies.

Attribution Notice

This content is an AI-generated, fully rewritten summary based on a published scholarly article. It does not reproduce the original text and is not a substitute for the original publication. Readers are encouraged to consult the source for full context, data, and methodology.