Short Lecture “Where nature’s toxins meet biologics: digital teaching of antibody-drug conjugates”

Antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) have emerged in the last decade as an important armoury in the treatment of many cancer types, with 10 such examples clinically approved since 2020. An ADC consists of an antibody, linker and cytotoxic warhead. Invariably the warhead used is a highly potent nature-derived cytotoxin with examples drawn from the dolastatin, maytansine, calicheamicin, camptothecin and pyrrolobenzodiazepines series of natural products. In this context, their inclusion into the curricula of both pharmacy and medical programmes is both timely and warranted. In designing this learning unit, advanced Storyline tools such as navigational buttons, mouseover, click-to-reveal functions, animations, transitions and sound effects were adopted and embraced by the student cohort. An in-depth treatment of the subject matter is given to students in year three of our five-year pharmacy (integrated) programme. A more top- level presentation on ADCs is given to our students on the MSc course in molecular medicine. The subject matter is presented in an accessible and interactive format that is available on the students’ online learning hub, Blackboard.

 

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Publication History

Article published online:
16 November 2023