Targeted therapeutic strategies for Nectin-4 in breast cancer: Recent advances and future prospects

Yufei Wang; Guangliang Li; Hanying Wang; Quan Qi; Xian Wang; Haiqi Lu

doi:10.1016/j.breast.2024.103838

Targeted therapeutic strategies for Nectin-4 in breast cancer: Recent advances and future prospects

Breast. 2024 Nov 14:79:103838. doi: 10.1016/j.breast.2024.103838. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Yufei Wang¹, Guangliang Li², Hanying Wang³, Quan Qi⁴, Xian Wang⁵, Haiqi Lu⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Medical Oncology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Medical School of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Key Lab of Biotherapy in Zhejiang, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Medical School of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
² Department of Medical Oncology (Breast Cancer), Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China.
³ Department of Medical Oncology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Medical School of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
⁴ Department of Medical Oncology, Huzhou Central Hospital, Huzhou, China.
⁵ Department of Medical Oncology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Medical School of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China. Electronic address: wangx118@zju.edu.cn.
⁶ Department of Medical Oncology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Medical School of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China. Electronic address: haiqilu@zju.edu.cn.

PMID: 39577073
DOI: 10.1016/j.breast.2024.103838

Abstract

Nectin-4 is a cell adhesion molecule which has gained more and more attention as a therapeutic target in cancer recently. Overexpression of Nectin-4 has been observed in various tumors, including breast cancer, and is associated with tumor progression. Enfortumab vedotin(EV)is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) targeting Nectin-4, which has been approved by FDA for the treatment of urothelial carcinoma. Notably, Nectin-4 was also investigated as a target for breast cancer in preclinical and clinical settings. Nectin-4-targeted approaches, such as ADCs, oncolytic viruses, photothermal therapy and immunotherapy, have shown promising results in early-phase clinical trials. These therapies offer novel strategies for delivering targeted treatments to Nectin-4-expressing cancer cells, enhancing treatment efficacy and minimizing off-target effects. In conclusion, this review aims to provide an overview of the latest advances in understanding the role of Nectin-4 in breast cancer and discuss the future development prospects of Nectin-4 targeted agents.

Keywords: Antibody drug conjugates (ADCs); Breast cancer; Enfortumab vedotin (EV); Nectin-4; Targeted therapy.

Publication types

Review