A drug conjugate is a construct in which a pharmacologically active component is covalently joined to another molecular entity through a defined attachment or linker. The conjugation partner can provide a targeting function, alter physicochemical behaviour, or serve as a macromolecular carrier. Antibody conjugates combine antigen recognition with an attached payload, whereas polymer conjugates incorporate the drug into a polymer-associated molecular structure [1][2]. The attachment site and local chemical environment influence linker stability and the distribution of conjugate species in a preparation [3]. A cleavable linker contains a bond or sequence that releases the payload after a specified chemical or enzymatic transformation [4]. Other constructs undergo processing of the carrier to generate an active drug-containing product [1]. Drug loading, attachment-site occupancy, and the presence of unconjugated components contribute to molecular heterogeneity [1][3]. The intact conjugate, released payload, and resulting catabolites have distinct chemical identities and can differ in distribution, clearance, and interaction with biological targets [1][2][4].
- covalent conjugation
- antibody–drug conjugates
- payload release
- linker chemistry
Advanced Drug Delivery Systems·Pharmaceutical Science·Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics·Life Sciences
References
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