Prophylactic use of G-CSFs to reduce neutropenia rates in patients treated with antibody-drug conjugates: A literature review.

BACKGROUND: Although multiple antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) have demonstrated sufficient efficacy and safety to warrant their approval, many patients require supportive treatment to reduce the severity of ADC-associated toxicities. Clinical guidelines recommend the use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (G‑CSFs), such as filgrastim, lenograstim, and long-acting pegfilgrastim, to reduce the duration and severity of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia and the risk of febrile neutropenia (FN). METHODS: The objective of this literature review was to summarize the available data on the use of G-CSFs in patients treated with ADCs as a strategy to mitigate the risk of severe neutropenia and FN. RESULTS: The identified literature highlight the importance of prophylactic G-CSF use to reduce the occurrence of FN and severe neutropenia in patients treated with ADCs. CONCLUSIONS: Although data evaluating the effect of G-CSF use as secondary prophylaxis are limited, available studies highlight the clinical necessity of mitigating neutropenia risk associated with ADCs.