Researchers at the University of California, Irvine, have found that some antibody-drug conjugates, an emerging class of targeted cancer therapies, were associated with serious infection-related complications, including hospitalization and intensive care admissions.
The study analyzed treatment data from 3,511 patients across six University of California medical centers and evaluated 10 FDA-approved antibody-drug conjugates, according to a June 2 news release from the university.
Researchers found some therapies were linked to severe neutropenia, or dangerously low levels of infection-fighting white blood cells, as well as febrile neutropenia, a potentially life-threatening condition involving fever and infection risk. The risk of complications varied depending on the specific therapy used.
The analysis also found that underlying conditions such as anemia and immunodeficiency disorders increased patients’ risk of complications. Data included in the study were collected between 2012 and 2024.
The findings, published in the journal Cancers, underscore the need for closer monitoring and supportive care as use of antibody-drug conjugates continues to expand, researchers said.
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