Discover the side effects of checkpoint immunotherapy, their onset, and how they can be managed effectively for better treatment outcomes.
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Overview
Like all treatments, checkpoint inhibitors can cause side effects. These are sometimes called immune-related adverse events (irAEs).
Checkpoint inhibitor side effects are different to the side effects of other cancer treatments and need to be managed differently.
This diagram shows some possible side effects of immunotherapy, but you are unlikely to have all of the side effects shown.
When to expect side effects
You may have side effects within days of starting treatment, but more commonly they occur several weeks or months after starting treatment. In rare cases, new side effects can appear months after finishing treatment.
Most people have mild side effects. Side effects are likely to be more severe if you are having higher doses or a combination of checkpoint inhibitor drugs, or if you are having immunotherapy with other cancer treatments.
Let your treatment team know about any over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, supplements or herbal therapies you are thinking about using. Also, let them know if you have been prescribed any antibiotics or steroids. Some may affect how the checkpoint inhibitors work or make side effects worse.
Side effects of checkpoint inhibitors
Checkpoint inhibitors trigger an immune response that can lead to redness, swelling or pain (inflammation) anywhere in the body. The diagram below shows examples of common and rare side effects. The side effects you have will depend on the drug and how your body responds. While some people have serious side effects, others have just 1-2 mild issues. Although there are many possible side effects linked to checkpoint inhibitors, it’s uncommon to get more than a few.
Other rare side effects can occur, and some can be life-threatening. Let your treatment team know about any new or worsening side effects during or after treatment. Do not try to treat them yourself. Most checkpoint inhibitor side effects can be managed and reversed if they are reported early.
Immunotherapy treatment involved adapting to new drugs and managing side effects with my oncology team.
Jason
→ READ MORE: Managing side effects of checkpoint inhibitors
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A/Prof Rohit Joshi, Medical Oncologist, Calvary Central Districts Hospital and Lyell McEwin Hospital, and Director, Cancer Research, SA; Rebecca Blackwood and Meiling Zhou, Nurse Consultants, Head and Neck Cancer Service, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; James Cormack, Consumer; Prof Simon Harrison, Director, Centre of Excellence in Cellular Immunotherapy and Haematologist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Royal Melbourne Hospital and Melbourne University, VIC; Dr Jia (Jenny) Liu, Medical Oncologist, The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, St Vincent’s Hospital and Senior Research Officer, Garvan Institute and ProCan Children’s Medical Research Institute, NSW; Angelica Miller, Melanoma Community Support Nurse, Melanoma Institute Australia, WA; Kate Moore, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council WA; Jason Sonneman, Consumer.
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