Immunotherapy for lung cancer

This is a type of drug treatment that uses the body’s own immune system to fight cancer.

Learn more about:

• When is immunotherapy used?
• Side effects of immunotherapy
• Video: What is immunotherapy? 

When is immunotherapy used?

Immunotherapy drugs known as checkpoint inhibitors block proteins, such as PD-L1, that stop immune cells from recognising and destroying the cancer cells. Once the proteins are blocked, the immune cells can potentially recognise and attack the lung cancer.

Several checkpoint inhibitors have been approved for most types of advanced NSCLC. One has also been approved for extensive-stage SCLC when it is used together with chemotherapy. Several other checkpoint inhibitors are being tested in clinical trials for lung cancer, including using a combination of these drugs.

Immunotherapy may be used alone or with chemotherapy as a palliative treatment, or after chemoradiation. In the future, immunotherapy may be used for early-stage NSCLC, either before or after surgery.

Checkpoint inhibitors do not work for all types of lung cancer, but some people have had good results. Ask your oncologist about molecular testing and whether immunotherapy may be an option for you.

Side effects of immunotherapy

Immunotherapy can cause inflammation throughout the body, which leads to different side effects depending on which part of the body becomes inflamed.

Common side effects include:

• fatigue
• rash
• painful joints
• diarrhoea.

Most people have mild side effects that can be treated easily and usually improve.

Let your medical team know if you have new or worsening symptoms. If left untreated, some side effects can become serious and may even be life-threatening. For a detailed list of side effects, visit eviq.org.au.

For more on this, see our general section on Immunotherapy.

→ READ MORE: Targeted therapy for lung cancer

Video: What is immunotherapy?

Learn more about targeted therapy and immunotherapy in this short video.