Innovative Drugs
ADC Antibody-Drug Conjugates (Disitamab Vedotin)
NMPA approved · included in national reimbursement
Typical Duration
IV every 2–3 weeks, long-term
Estimated Cost
Domestic ADCs ≈1/3–1/2 of imported peers
Domestic ADCs (e.g. sacituzumab tirumotecan) have substantially lowered class pricing after approval; imported ADC prices follow hospital pharmacy rates, with some on the national reimbursement list (international patients self-pay).
Why China
ADC Antibody-Drug Conjugates (Disitamab Vedotin)
01A global powerhouse of ADC development
China’s clinical-stage ADC pipeline ranks top-two globally across HER2, TROP2, CLDN18.2 and Nectin-4 targets; multiple assets have been licensed out in major deals (e.g. Kelun-Biotech’s partnership series with Merck & Co.).
02Domestic ADCs first to market
Sacituzumab tirumotecan became the world’s first TROP2 ADC approved in lung cancer; disitamab vedotin (HER2) built Chinese evidence in gastric and urothelial cancers and was licensed overseas.
03Next-generation payloads and linkers
Chinese companies continue innovating in topoisomerase-I payloads, cleavable linkers and homogeneous high-DAR conjugation, bringing a next generation of “low-toxicity, high-efficacy” ADCs into the clinic.
Care Journey
01
Case Review
Submit your records and imaging; receive a written expert assessment and preliminary plan within 48 hours.
02
Plan & Estimate
A multidisciplinary team (MDT) defines your individualized treatment plan with a transparent cost estimate.
03
Travel Preparation
We assist with medical visa, flights and accommodation, and assign a professional medical interpreter.
04
In-Hospital Care
A dedicated coordinator accompanies you through examinations and treatment, bridging all communication.
05
Recovery & Follow-up
Remote follow-up after you return home, with review schedules and medication guidance.
06
Long-term Management
Stay connected with your treating team, with fast-track return visits whenever needed.
Medical Team
Hospitals
Cancer Hospital, CAMS (National Cancer Center)
Beijing · Grade III-A · National Cancer Center
Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center
Shanghai · Grade III-A · National Regional Cancer Center
Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center
Guangzhou · Grade III-A · Host of State Key Laboratory
Peking University Cancer Hospital
Beijing · Grade III-A · MOE Key Laboratory
Frequently Asked Questions
How do ADCs differ from chemotherapy and targeted drugs?+
An ADC = monoclonal antibody (guidance) + linker + cytotoxic payload (warhead). Like a “biological missile”, it delivers potent chemotherapy precisely into tumor cells with far lower systemic exposure than conventional chemotherapy; unlike pure targeted agents, the payload kills powerfully, and a bystander effect can work even at low target expression.
Is target-expression testing required?+
Usually yes (e.g. HER2 IHC/ISH), but thresholds are looser than for targeted drugs — some ADCs remain active in low-expression or even negative populations. Specific requirements follow the prescribing information and physician assessment.
What are ADC-specific risks?+
Beyond chemotherapy-like myelosuppression and nausea, payload-specific toxicities matter: interstitial lung disease with topoisomerase-I payloads, ocular toxicity with MMAF, peripheral neuropathy with MMAE. Major centers have baseline screening and graded management; scheduled reviews are required during therapy.
How do domestic ADCs compare with DS-8201?+
Several domestic ADCs have shown non-inferior or superior results versus international peers in phase III head-to-head or controlled studies (e.g. sacituzumab tirumotecan data in triple-negative breast cancer and lung cancer), at substantially lower cost. Drug choice depends on tumor type, target expression, prior therapy and physician assessment.
Can I travel home between cycles?+
Yes. ADCs are dosed intravenously every 2–3 weeks, and you may travel between cycles. An alternative is completing the first 2–4 cycles in China to confirm tolerance, then continuing the regimen at home with your local physician’s cooperation.
Detailed Information
How ADCs work
After intravenous dosing, the antibody binds the tumor-surface antigen, the complex is internalized, and the linker cleaves in lysosomes to release a highly potent payload that induces DNA damage and apoptosis; membrane-permeable payloads also kill neighboring low-expression cells (bystander effect), which is crucial for heterogeneous tumors.
Representative approved agents
ADCs accessible in China span breast, gastric, urothelial, lung and gynecologic cancers. The following is a partial overview; specific use requires physician assessment.
| Agent | Target | Indication focus | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sacituzumab tirumotecan (sac-TMT) | TROP2 | TNBC, EGFR-mutant NSCLC | China-originated (Kelun-Biotech) |
| Disitamab vedotin (Aidixi) | HER2 | Gastric and urothelial cancers | China-originated (RemeGen) |
| Trastuzumab deruxtecan (Enhertu) | HER2 | Breast, gastric, HER2-mutant lung | Imported (Daiichi Sankyo/AstraZeneca) |
| Sacituzumab govitecan (Trodelvy) | TROP2 | TNBC, urothelial cancer | Imported (Gilead) |
Safety management and follow-up
Baseline workup includes pulmonary function/imaging (for ILD-risk agents), ophthalmic examination (for ocular-toxicity agents) and neurological assessment; during therapy, blood counts, liver/kidney function and imaging are reviewed per protocol. Grade ≥2 specific toxicities trigger withholding, steroid intervention and specialist consultation per graded pathways. We help patients maintain symptom trackers with rapid-access care channels.
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