Adverse effects of the humanized antibodies used as cancer therapeutics

Humanized monoclonal antibodies represent a recent and very significant addition to the anticancer armamentarium. With improved therapeutic strategies due to these agents, however, there are also various, sometimes unexpected, side effects.

Most of the monoclonal antibodies used in oncology share a risk of infusion-related manifestations, including the possibility of anaphylaxis; these reactions usually appear early on during the first administration. Hematological toxicity is also frequent, especially if the antibodies are associated with chemotherapy; the resulting neutropenia--and with some agents lymphopenia--is associated with an increased risk of infection. Cardiac failure and pulmonary complications have been reported with some of these agents, especially in patients with prior cardiac or pulmonary comorbidities.

Although consideration of these side effects is important in terms of prevention and therapy, overall they are relatively uncommon, making therapy with monoclonal antibodies quite safe in comparison with other therapeutic modalities used in cancer patients.