Effect of Linker Stereochemistry on the Activity of Indolinobenzodiazepine Containing Antibody–Drug Conjugates (ADCs)

Antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) that incorporate potent indolinobenzodiazepine DNA alkylators as the payload component are currently undergoing clinical evaluation. In one ADC design, the payload molecules are linked to the antibody through a peptidase-labile l-Ala-l-Ala linker. In order to determine the role of amino acid stereochemistry on antitumor activity and tolerability, we incorporated l- and d-alanyl groups in the dipeptide, synthesized all four diastereomers, and prepared and tested the corresponding ADCs. Results of our preclinical evaluation showed that the l-Ala-l-Ala configuration provided the ADC with the highest therapeutic index (antitumor activity vs toxicity).