DNA cleaver payloads (enediynes)

aka calicheamicin class, ozogamicin

DNA cleaver payloads are natural products that cut both strands of DNA. They are used in the two oldest approved ADCs, both for leukaemias.

Calicheamicin is the only enediyne in approved ADCs. Its acid-cleavable hydrazone linker and hepatotoxicity shaped how later linkers and payloads were designed.