Small molecule drug conjugates Yet another article emphasizing the shortcomings of conventional cancer treatments and the significance of targeted delivery to deal with the current challenges, (academic access).
”In the past few years, kinase inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs), small molecule–drug conjugates (SMDCs), low-molecular-weight non-peptidic ligands and antisense/siRNA have been reported as effective approaches for targeted anticancer therapy.
Peptides are only a mere fraction relative to more traditional small molecule-based medicines, but constitute molecular diversity with a unique molecular mechanism of action and are proven indispensable in the management of many cancers. The integration of peptides as the targeting ligand and therapeutic cytotoxic modalities offers the potential to enhance and broaden pharmacology while minimizing dose-dependent toxicity in cancer therapy. Peptide conjugates have mainly focused upon selectively enhancing small molecule cytotoxicity to more effectively treat multiple oncologic diseases.”
https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2021/NJ/D0NJ04134C#!divAbstract