Issue 95, 2025

Towards a glutathione-cleavable azobenzene linker for antibody–drug conjugates

Abstract

Herein we describe the development of a novel azobenzene-containing glutathione-cleavable linker for use in antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs). This linker demonstrated efficient payload release under elevated glutathione levels while maintaining stability in human plasma. An anti-HER2 ADC incorporating this linker exhibited potent in vitro cytotoxicity and selective activity towards HER2-positive cell lines.

Graphical abstract: Towards a glutathione-cleavable azobenzene linker for antibody–drug conjugates

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Communication
Submitted
13 Oct 2025
Accepted
24 Oct 2025
First published
28 Oct 2025
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 18902-18905

Towards a glutathione-cleavable azobenzene linker for antibody–drug conjugates

M. Kapun, R. Patel, M. Park, F. J. Pérez-Areales, K. A. Kostadinova, T. Wharton, J. S. Carroll and D. R. Spring, Chem. Commun., 2025, 61, 18902 DOI: 10.1039/D5CC05824D

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