Antibody–Drug Conjugates Targeting HER2 and Trop-2: A New Force in Precision Treatment for Solid Tumors

Abstract

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) and trophoblast cell surface antigen 2 (Trop-2) are tumor-associated antigens widely overexpressed in multiple malignant tumors, which drive malignant proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance by activating key downstream signaling pathways. Antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) targeting HER2 and Trop-2 leverage their antigen-specific binding capacity to achieve precise targeted delivery of cytotoxic drugs, representing a significant breakthrough in solid tumor therapy. This review systematically outlines the biological functions and carcinogenic mechanisms of HER2 and Trop-2, focusing on the latest research and development progress of related ADCs. We also summarize and analyze key clinical data and application prospects in breast cancer (BC), gastric cancer (GC), non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and urothelial carcinoma (UC), while also delving into the challenges and future directions within this field.