Learn About ADC Therapeutics Cancer Research and Development

ADC Therapeutics is a biotechnology company focused on antibody drug conjugates, or ADCs, which combine antibodies that recognize specific cancer-related targets with potent therapeutic payloads. The approach is designed to help deliver treatment more selectively to cells carrying the intended target. The company describes its work as focused particularly on hematologic malignancies and continues to evaluate its technology through clinical and research programs.

Research Approaches and Development Programs

Cancer research at ADC Therapeutics involves studying how antibody targets, linkers, and therapeutic payloads can be combined to create investigational ADCs. Its development activities include clinical trials that assess safety, effectiveness, dosing, and possible treatment combinations.

Key areas of its research and development include:

• ZYNLONTA: ZYNLONTA, also known as loncastuximab tesirine-lpyl, is a CD19-directed antibody drug conjugate used for certain adults with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma after two or more lines of systemic therapy.
• Combination research: The company has studied ZYNLONTA with other therapies, including rituximab and the bispecific antibody glofitamab. In June 2026, ADC Therapeutics reported positive topline progression-free survival results from the Phase 3 LOTIS-5 trial evaluating ZYNLONTA with rituximab.
• Investigational ADCs: Earlier development programs have included ADCs directed toward targets such as AXL, CD22, Claudin-6, NaPi2b, and PSMA.
• Clinical evaluation: Research programs progress through stages of laboratory research and clinical testing, with decisions influenced by safety findings, efficacy signals, development priorities, and regulatory requirements.

Future Directions in Cancer Research

ADC Therapeutics continues to evaluate how its ADC technology could be applied to additional cancer settings. Current development efforts also include combination strategies intended to investigate whether ADCs can work alongside other types of cancer therapy.

Important areas of ongoing development include:

• LOTIS-7: This Phase 1b study evaluates ZYNLONTA in combination with glofitamab in patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Enrollment was completed in June 2026, with full data expected later in 2026.
• Earlier treatment settings: Research is evaluating whether ZYNLONTA could have applications beyond its current treatment setting, including earlier lines of therapy.
• New molecular targets: Research into targets such as Claudin-6, NaPi2b, and PSMA represents efforts to investigate ADC approaches across different tumor types.
• Scientific evaluation: Investigational treatments require continued clinical testing and regulatory review before any new indication can be considered for routine use.

ADC Therapeutics cancer research demonstrates the broader development of antibody drug conjugates as a targeted approach in oncology. Its work includes an approved therapy, clinical trials, and investigational programs exploring different molecular targets and treatment combinations. As cancer research advances, continued clinical evidence will help determine where these approaches may provide meaningful benefits and which research programs warrant further development. Information about investigational treatments should be distinguished from established indications, as research findings do not necessarily establish a treatment as safe or effective for every cancer or patient population.