WCLC 2025: Innovative ADC therapy shows promise in hard-to-treat small cell lung cancer
MD Anderson Research Highlight September 07, 2025
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) remains one of the most aggressive and difficult-to-treat forms of lung cancer, with few effective therapies for patients who relapse. The SEZ6 protein is highly expressed in SCLC and is a promising therapeutic target. In a Phase I study, researchers led by ., evaluated the safety and efficacy of ABBV-706 ¨C an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) that targets SEZ6 and delivers a chemotherapy ¡°payload¡± to the cancer cells ¨Cin patients with relapsed SCLC. The researchers enrolled 80 patients with SCLC who received two different doses of ABBV-706. The lower dose resulted in longer-lasting benefit and fewer serious side effects compared to the higher dose. These findings determined the dose used in the Phase II trial and suggest ABBV-706 could offer a new targeted option for patients with limited treatment choices. Byers presented the data at the World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) on
By targeting SEZ6 in small cell lung cancer, we are opening a new avenue for precision therapy in one of the most treatment-resistant cancers. Defining the optimal dose is essential to balancing effectiveness with safety and ensuring patients receive the maximum benefit from this promising approach.