Payload (ADC)

The payload is the poison an ADC carries, usually a chemotherapy far too toxic to give on its own.

The payload is the cytotoxic warhead conjugated to the antibody. Classes: tubulin inhibitors (MMAE, MMAF, DM1, DM4), topoisomerase-I inhibitors (DXd, SN-38, exatecan, belotecan derivatives), DNA-damaging agents (PBD dimers, calicheamicin, duocarmycin). Newer payloads: degraders, immune agonists, radionuclides. Membrane permeability determines bystander killing.