Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: HER2-targeted antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) have dramatically advanced breast cancer outcomes. Two HER2-targeted ADCs, trastuzumab deruxtecan and trastuzumab emtansine, are currently approved for use in breast cancer, with > 60 other candidates under ongoing investigation. METHODS: In this report, we provide a narrative review of existing data underlying the current understanding of HER2-targeted ADC toxicities in breast cancer, highlighting both common and serious adverse events. RESULTS: When used as an adjuvant or neoadjuvant, first- or second-line agent, alone or in combination with another agent, trastuzumab emtansine has been commonly associated with epistaxis, fatigue, headache, nausea, and pyrexia across several clinical trials. Comparatively, trastuzumab deruxtecan has been commonly associated with alopecia, cytopenias, decreased appetite, fatigue, and gastrointestinal adverse effects. CONCLUSION: Despite the demonstrated clinical benefits in breast cancer, diverse systemic and organ-specific adverse events, including dose-limiting toxicities, have been reported even at suboptimal therapeutic doses and pose significant barriers to pursuing dose escalations for maximizing therapeutic efficacy.
Source: Cancer Medicine
DOI: 10.1002/cam4.71415
Language: English
Topic: HER2/EGFR in Cancer Research
Subfield: Oncology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $4,700
OpenAlex ID: W4417145492