Understanding Immunotherapy Side Effects

Overview of Immune-Related Side Effects

• Immune-related (IR) side effects from immunotherapy can manifest immediately or up to two years post-treatment.
• Patients should notify their doctor if any side effects arise after treatment.

Immunotherapy and Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors

• Immune checkpoint inhibitors represent an innovative treatment for select cancers, enhancing the immune system's ability to attack cancer cells.
• These therapies can lead to the immune system attacking normal organs and tissues, resulting in a variety of side effects.

Incidence of Side Effects

• Serious side effects occur in under 5% of patients.
• Mild side effects can affect 30% to 50% of patients undergoing treatment.

Key Side Effects by Body System

• Brain and Spinal Cord:

  • Symptoms include confusion, behavior changes, headaches, seizures, sensitivity to light, and memory issues.

• Thyroid Gland:

  • Can cause weight fluctuations, rapid heartbeat, fatigue, and anxiety.

• Mouth:

  • May experience dry mouth, pain, sores, and altered taste sensations.

• Eyes:

  • Possible effects include blurred vision, eye pain, and increased floaters.

• Heart:

  • Symptoms may consist of fatigue, chest pain, and swelling in extremities.

• Muscles:

  • Patients may report weakness, aches, or stiffness in muscles.

• Nerves:

  • Manifestations can include numbness or tingling in limbs and unusual weakness.

• Joints:

  • Patients might experience joint pain, swelling, or stiffness alleviated by movement.

• Lungs:

  • Possible shortness of breath, dry cough, and chest pain.

• Skin:

  • Can lead to rashes, itching, and psoriasis-like symptoms.

• Pituitary Gland:

  • Low cortisol levels may result in fatigue and muscle weakness.

• Bowel:

  • Symptoms may include watery stools, cramping, and urgency.

Importance of Monitoring

• Side effects can appear shortly after treatment onset, within months, or after therapy concludes.
• The entire body can be affected, regardless of the cancer origin.

Communication with Healthcare Providers

• Inform healthcare providers about ongoing or past immunotherapy to distinguish side effects from other causes.
• Higher risk of side effects exists when multiple immunotherapies are combined or mixed with other cancer treatments.

Management of Side Effects

• Many immune-related side effects are treatable, often with corticosteroids or alternative medications.
• Untreated serious side effects can lead to life-threatening situations.

Conclusion

• Awareness and prompt reporting of any symptoms to healthcare professionals are crucial in managing potential adverse effects of immunotherapy.

This quiz explores the immune-related side effects associated with immunotherapy, particularly focusing on immune checkpoint inhibitors. Learn about the possible side effects that can arise immediately or even years after treatment has concluded. It's crucial to recognize these symptoms and know when to contact your healthcare provider.