What should you know about FDA-approved antibody-drug conjugates?

An antibody-drug conjugate joins an antibody to a cell-killing medicine. The antibody recognises a feature on or around certain cancer cells and helps carry the attached medicine toward them. Once inside or near the target cell, the drug is released or becomes active, depending on the product.

Approval does not mean that every person or tumour is a match. The relevant marker may need testing, and the approved use can depend on previous treatment, cancer location, and whether disease has spread. HER2-targeted therapy is one example of treatment guided by a tumour marker.

Ask whether your tumour has the marker required for the proposed medicine and whether the test was performed on a suitable specimen. Discuss the treatment schedule, how response will be checked, and which medicines or health conditions could affect the plan.

Tell the team about breathing problems, heart conditions, liver problems, nerve symptoms, pregnancy or breastfeeding, and all medicines or supplements. During treatment, report new symptoms early so the team can decide whether an examination or treatment adjustment is needed.

Seek urgent medical help for severe breathlessness, chest pain, facial swelling, fainting, confusion, or a rapidly spreading rash. Contact your oncology team promptly for persistent fever, marked weakness, repeated vomiting, new vision changes, or numbness and tingling that is getting worse.

Which marker makes this medicine appropriate? What benefits and harms are relevant to me? How will heart, liver, lung, eye, or nerve effects be monitored? What should I do if I miss an appointment or develop symptoms?