There have been various forms of Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADCs) developed in the past few decades to treat certain forms of cancer. One of the most successful utilizations of ADCs for targeted the HER2 and/or TROP-2 antigen sites on breast cancer cells. This form of treatment delivers chemotherapy to cells and minimizes the negative effect this medicine can have on healthy tissue surrounding the cancerous environment and the rest of the body. The antigen site on various lung cancer cells differs from previously known cancer antigens, and it has been difficult to produce a monoclonal antibody specific to abundant and accessible antigens present on this form of tumor cell. Throughout my time at the Colson lab, I will be assisting in antibody production, bioengineering of a proper link between the antibody and chemotherapy, and preclinical trials of the treatment. The generation of ADC technology we will be using for this project is a tubulin-targeting agent which will slow down mitotic divisions and halt tumor growth. If this project were to be successful, this would provide lung cancer patients with an option for a less invasive treatment with increased survival rates.
Northeastern University
