Two Cases of Exacerbation of Asthma during Treatment with Enfortumab Vedotin

Case Rep Oncol. 2023 Oct 25;16(1):1217-1222. doi: 10.1159/000534150. eCollection 2023 Jan-Dec.

Abstract

Enfortumab vedotin is an antibody-drug conjugate against nectin-4 that is recently being used in the management of patients with urothelial carcinoma. The common adverse events include rashes, peripheral neuropathy, and hyperglycemia. Only a few cases of associated respiratory symptoms have been reported. Herein, we describe 2 patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma who experienced asthma exacerbation after initiating enfortumab vedotin treatment. Both patients improved with inhalation therapy. Since nectin-4 is expressed in the tracheal epithelium, its association with asthma is likely. This study highlights that clinicians should caution patients with a history of asthma against the worsening of respiratory symptoms when enfortumab vedotin is administered.

Keywords: Antibody-drug conjugate; Asthma; Enfortumab vedotin; Nectin-4; Urothelial carcinoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

Grants and funding

This study has not received specific funding from any public, commercial, or non-profit sector funding agencies.