Overview
ESMO Therapeutic Landscapes 2026 is set to explore the safety profiles and clinical management of next-generation biologics, with a focused session on the toxicity of multispecific antibodies and immune-cell engagers. Scheduled for February 18, 2026, this technical webinar brings together leading oncologists, immunologists, and translational researchers to dissect risk factors, mechanism-based toxicities, and practical strategies to optimize patient outcomes.
Why Multispecific Antibodies and Immune-Cell Engagers Matter
Multispecific antibodies and immune-cell engagers are revolutionizing cancer therapy by simultaneously engaging multiple targets or immune cells to amplify anti-tumor responses. While these agents offer meaningful clinical benefit, they also carry unique toxicity profiles that require careful monitoring and proactive management. The webinar will address how to balance potent efficacy with patient safety, especially in real-world settings where comorbidities and prior therapies influence risk.
Toxicity Profiles: What to Expect
Participants will review the spectrum of adverse events associated with next-generation bispecifics, including cytokine release syndromes (CRS), neurotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and off-target inflammatory effects. The discussion emphasizes differences among antibody formats, dosing strategies, and tumor types. Case-based insights will illustrate how toxicity can present early or late in treatment and why swift recognition matters for patient outcomes.
Mechanistic Insights and Risk Factors
Understanding the biology behind toxicities helps clinicians anticipate and prevent severe events. The session covers how engagement of shared antigens, T-cell redirection, and Fc-mediated activities contribute to safety signals. Patient-related factors such as age, performance status, organ function, and prior therapies will be highlighted as key contributors to risk. The goal is to translate mechanistic knowledge into practical risk stratification at the point of care.
Clinical Management Strategies
Effective management hinges on proactive planning and standardized response protocols. Topics include: monitoring schedules for early toxicity detection, dosing adjustments and step-down strategies, supportive care considerations, and the role of corticosteroids or cytokine-directed therapies when needed. The webinar also addresses multidisciplinary collaboration, including oncology nursing, pharmacovigilance, and supportive care teams, to ensure timely interventions and minimize treatment interruptions.
Patient Selection and Counseling
Optimal use of multispecific antibodies requires thoughtful patient selection and transparent communication about potential risks. attendees will explore criteria for selecting patients who are most likely to benefit while tolerating the safety profile. Shared decision-making, informed consent nuances, and real-world data integration will be discussed to align treatment goals with patient preferences and quality of life considerations.
Clinical Trial Design and Future Directions
As the landscape evolves, so do trial designs that stratify risk and capture clinically meaningful toxicities. The session will review evolving endpoints, biomarker-driven approaches, and adaptive strategies to optimize safety in early and late-phase studies. The insights gathered at ESMO Therapeutic Landscapes 2026 aim to inform regulatory discussions, product labeling, and best-practice guidelines for next-generation biologics.
Takeaways
Ultimately, the webinar aims to equip clinicians with practical tools to manage the toxicity of multispecific antibodies and immune-cell engagers, preserving efficacy while safeguarding patient safety. Attendees should come away with actionable strategies for monitoring, dose modification, patient education, and multidisciplinary coordination in the era of advanced biologics.
