IRVINE — University of California, Irvine pharmacy researchers published a real-world study in the journal Cancers in 2026 identifying serious blood-related side effects linked to certain antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) used in cancer treatment. The study found that some ADCs were associated with substantial rates of severe neutropenia—dangerously low levels of infection-fighting white blood cells—as well as complications including hospitalization, intensive care admissions, and febrile neutropenia.
The analysis evaluated treatment data from 3,511 patients across six University of California medical centers, using information collected between 2012 and 2024 through the University of California Health Data Warehouse. Researchers assessed 10 commonly used FDA-approved ADCs and found that the risks of severe neutropenia and infection-related complications varied widely depending on the specific ADC administered.
The study showed that certain ADC therapies carried particularly high rates of hematological toxicities. Patients with underlying conditions such as anemia or immunodeficiency disorders faced elevated risks of complications during ADC treatment. Antibody-drug conjugates are designed to deliver chemotherapy directly to cancer cells while minimizing damage to healthy tissue and have improved outcomes for cancers including breast and blood malignancies.
“Our findings demonstrate that while antibody-drug conjugates offer tremendous promise for cancer patients, clinicians must remain vigilant about potentially serious hematologic toxicities. Using real-world data allows us to understand better how these therapies affect diverse patient populations outside the controlled environment of clinical trials,” said Alexandre Chan, professor and chair of clinical pharmacy practice at the University of California, Irvine.
The research showed the importance of large-scale health system data in refining supportive cancer care and identifying patients who might benefit from earlier monitoring or preventive interventions. Chan added, “As these targeted therapies become more widely used, understanding and anticipating side effects becomes increasingly important. This work can help inform safer treatment strategies and improve patient outcomes.” The study was conducted through collaboration among investigators from UC Irvine, UCI Health, the University of Washington, and the broader University of California health system.