Jacob Sands, MD, is associate chief of the Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology and oncology medical director of the International Patient Center at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; as well as an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School

Laura Huppert, MD, is an assistant professor of medicine in the Department of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine

Classifying ADC Associated Ocular Toxicities and Evaluating Them in Everyday Practice 

In this segment, the expert panel turns to the ophthalmologic perspective on ocular toxicities associated with antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs). The ophthalmologist outlines the most common eye-related adverse events—corneal epitheliopathy, dry eye disease, blurry vision, conjunctivitis, and occasional uveitis—emphasizing that most cases are mild and manageable with conservative measures such as lubricating drops. However, the panel stresses that more severe complications, including keratitis and persistent vision changes, may necessitate treatment delays or dose adjustments, highlighting the need for coordinated care between oncology and ophthalmology. The discussion focuses on red-flag symptoms that should prompt urgent referral: significant or persistent vision changes affecting daily activities, marked light sensitivity suggestive of intraocular inflammation, and symptoms that do not improve with initial supportive care. The faculty underscore that early ophthalmologic evaluation can prevent progression, support timely therapeutic decisions, and facilitate safer continuation of ADC therapy, reinforcing the importance of collaborative management in this emerging area.

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Ocular toxicities from cancer treatments present complexities; understanding symptoms and timely ophthalmology involvement is crucial for effective management.

Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADCs) for Treatment of Solid Tumors 

In this opening segment, the expert panel introduces the evolving role of antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) in the treatment of solid tumors and sets the stage for a focused discussion on ocular toxicities. The moderator and faculty—representing lung, breast, and gynecologic oncology as well as ophthalmology—outline how ADCs combine targeted monoclonal antibodies with cytotoxic payloads to deliver chemotherapy more precisely to cancer cells. The panel highlights key mechanisms such as internalization, targeted payload release, and the bystander effect, which allows cytotoxic agents to affect neighboring tumor cells that may not express the target antigen. Within breast cancer specifically, the experts note that four ADCs are now approved in the metastatic setting and have significantly improved progression-free and overall survival. As ADCs gain prominence across tumor types, the panel underscores the importance of proactively identifying, monitoring, and managing ocular adverse events, which will be the central focus of the discussion moving forward.

Experts discuss the integration of ocular toxicity management in solid tumor care, focusing on antibody-drug conjugates and their impact on treatment.

Sarah Sunshine, MD

Articles

Classifying ADC Associated Ocular Toxicities and Evaluating Them in Everyday Practice

Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADCs) for Treatment of Solid Tumors