Bengalore (Karnataka) [India], May 2:Dr. Manish Kumar, a medical and Hemato-oncologist, is an exponent of using the latest advancements in cancer therapy. He elaborates on the potential of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and bispecific antibodies to transform cancer care management. Dr. Manish Kumar is a certified medical oncologist with additional expertise in malignant hematology, Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT), precision medicine, and preventive oncology. His professional stint spanning two decades includes serving in the Indian Army and as a senior consultant at major hospitals.

"Antibody-drug conjugates and bispecific antibodies offer new hope and improved outcomes in the evolving landscape of cancer treatment. Currently, these therapies are some of the most innovative and result-oriented approaches in cancer care and management," says Dr. Manish Kumar, a leading medical oncologist in Bangalore with over 25 years of experience.

He explains antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and bispecific antibodies and their role in targeted therapy for better and more precise cancer care management. 

What are antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs)?

ADCs are complex molecules that combine specific monoclonal antibodies (MABs) and cytotoxic drugs with a chemical linker. Monoclonal Antibodies (MABs) can recognize and bind to an antigen, which is essential for the targeted delivery of drugs to cancer cells with minimal effect on healthy cells. In the case of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), these MABs effectively deliver drugs to the tumor. The use of entirely human MABs is preferred as they have a longer half-life in the patient and generate minimal host immune response against the antibody.
 

The cytotoxic drug is an anticancer agent that kills cancer cells once released within the cancer cell after the ADC binds and is internalized. They disrupt key processes such as microtubule formation and DNA replication. The chemical linker is the third component that connects the antibody to the cytotoxic drug. Its purpose is to prevent the early release of the drug and lessen the systemic toxicity within the bloodstream.

What are Bi-specific antibodies?

Bi-specific antibodies in immunotherapy refer to bodies that are engineered to bind two different targets simultaneously. For eg., these antibodies can bring a cancer cell and an immune cell close to each other, enabling the immune system's ability to recognize and destroy cancer cells with more precision and efficacy. Hence, bi-specific antibodies offer a revolutionary approach to treating various diseases. 

Bi-Specific Antibodies: A Smarter Way to Fight Cancer explains Dr. Manish Kumar

For ease in understanding, Dr. Manish Kumar states, ‘A new generation of therapies is changing the game in the world of cancer treatment, namely bi-specific antibodies. We can think of them as "smart missiles" designed to attack cancer more precisely. Unlike traditional antibodies that stick to just one target, bi-specific antibodies can latch onto two things at once. One part grabs the cancer cell, and the other part grabs a powerful immune cell—like a T-cell. This brings the body’s natural defense system right up close to the cancer, helping it recognize and destroy the harmful cells.’

Also, it is like giving the immune system a GPS and laser pointer at the same time, — directing it exactly where to go and what to attack. This approach is showing promise in hard-to-treat cancers like leukemia, lymphoma, and some solid tumors. It can work even when other treatments have failed. 

Hence, bi-specific antibodies represent a new wave of targeted, personalized cancer care, offering hope for better outcomes with fewer side effects.

The advantages of using antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and bispecific antibodies include targeted drug delivery directly within the cancer cells and reducing the exposure of toxic drugs to healthy tissues, ensuring fewer side effects than traditional chemotherapy. The release of cytotoxic drugs within the tumor cells via ADCs, leading to higher intracellular drug concentrations in cancer cells, provides better control over tumor growth and regression, even in drug-resistant cancers.

How Antibody conjugates work

The antibody part finds and attaches to cancer cells. Once inside, the drug is released—destroying the cancer from within. This smart delivery system means less damage to healthy cells, fewer side effects, and better results for patients. It’s precision oncology in action—where science meets smart design to fight cancer more effectively. ADCs are being used in several cancers like breast, bladder, and blood cancers, offering hope where standard treatments may fall short. cost is a major concern as of now but going ahead if rates come down with generic preparations, lot many patients can get benefited.

List of ADCs that are currently used in cancer treatment, some of which have been used by Dr. Manish Kumar – 

  • Breast Cancer

 

Trastuzumab emtansine (Kadcyla): Used for HER2-positive breast cancer. 

Trastuzumab deruxtecan (Enhertu): A newer ADC showing strong results even in "HER2-low" breast cancers.

 

  • Lymphoma (Blood Cancer)
     

Brentuximab vedotin (Adcetris): Used in Hodgkin lymphoma and some T-cell lymphomas.

  • Bladder Cancer

 Enfortumab vedotin (Padcev): Approved for advanced urothelial (bladder) cancer, especially after chemotherapy or immunotherapy.

  • Lung Cancer

Datopotamab deruxtecan (in clinical trials, very promising for non-small cell lung cancer - NSCLC).

  • Cervical Cancer

Tisotumab vedotin (Tivdak): Used in recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer after chemotherapy.

  • Multiple Myeloma (Blood Cancer)

Belantamab mafodotin (Blenrep): Targeting BCMA protein in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.

Some of these options are now available in India and many are yet to get regulatory approvals for use within the country; however patient specific imports can be done on case to case basis.

 With the ongoing research in ADCs for various solid tumors and haematological malignancies, there is renewed hope of better treatment options being available for critical cancer cases wherein regular cancer therapy has proved to be unfruitful. 

A paper titled, 'The Novel Strategy of Bispecific Antibody-Drug Conjugates (BsADCs) in Cancer Therapy," published January 11, 2025, highlights the potentials of bispecific antibody-drug conjugates (BsADCs) with two targeting capabilities of bispecific antibodies with the cytotoxic effect of ADCs on the basis of preclinical evidence of improved tumor specificity and anti-tumor activity. 

A review article published in Pharmaceuticals titled "Bispecific Antibodies and Antibody–Drug Conjugates for Cancer Therapy: Technological Considerations" emphasizes clinically validated formats and progress in this field, along with discussions of the principles and challenges associated with them for cancer treatment. 

He is avidly interested in cancer research, actively participates in clinical trials, and contributes to medical publications. With an ESMO certification in medical oncology, he ensures that his cancer treatment meets international standards.

With considerable expertise in comprehensive cancer care using precision medicine, preventive oncology and bone marrow transplant, he provides evidence-based cancer treatment protocols for his patients. He is very keen to offer comprehensive and quality cancer care in remote cities via latest digital communication technology for extended outreach. 

About Dr Manish  Kumar

Dr. (Lt. Col) Manish Kumar is a leading Medical & Hemato-oncologist based in Bangalore with over 22 years of experience. He holds an MD from AFMC Pune and a Fellowship in Medical Oncology from AIIMS. Dr. Kumar specializes in Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT), precision medicine, and preventive oncology. He is passionately involved and active in cancer care research and related oncology services. He strives to offer comprehensive, cost-effective, and high-quality cancer care, including upcoming and innovative cancer treatment to his patients. 

His key accomplishments include are the Best Paper Award, AFMRC Project (2021-2022) and his acknowledgement as Co-Principal Investigator for the ConCERT Trial at the ASCO 2022 podium.

Contact Dr. Manish Kumar at

Prakriya Hospital 
Pillar No 500, Metro Station Nagasandra, Service road, 
8th Mile, Tumkur Rd, 
Havanur Layout, Bagalakunte, 
Bengaluru, Karnataka 560073
Phone: +91 9871175835
Email Address: drmanishoncology@gmail.com