DLL3-SN38-NIC

DLL3-SN38-NIC is an experimental albumin-based nano-immunoconjugate (NIC) designed for the targeted treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and other neuroendocrine malignancies. Developed by researchers at the Mayo Clinic, the therapeutic consists of the cytotoxic payload SN38 (the active metabolite of irinotecan) encapsulated within a human serum albumin (HSA) matrix. This nanoscaffold is non-covalently coated with a recombinant anti-DLL3 monoclonal antibody to facilitate high-affinity binding to Delta-like ligand 3 (DLL3), a protein highly expressed in SCLC but absent in normal tissues. The NIC platform is engineered to overcome the limitations of traditional antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), such as poor payload stability and limited tumor penetration, by utilizing the albumin matrix to preserve drug potency and enhance delivery. Preclinical studies presented at AACR 2026 demonstrate that the conjugate maintains high-affinity DLL3 engagement and potent cytotoxicity across various SCLC cell lines.

Other names

Albumin-based DLL3-targeted nano-immunoconjugate of SN38DLL3-targeted nano-immunoconjugate of SN38DLL-3-targeted nano-immunoconjugate of SN38DLL 3-targeted nano-immunoconjugate of SN38