Jarushka Naidoo, M.B.B.Ch.

Immunotherapy has different side effects than more traditional cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, explained Jarushka Naidoo, M.B.B.Ch., an assistant professor of oncology at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer center at Johns Hopkins University.

Patients should remember that immunotherapy works by stimulating the immune system to fight the cancer. So, taking these agents could result in inflammation anywhere in the body, as well as some more general symptoms, such as fatigue, nausea and skin rash. While most side effects can be mitigated with steroids, there are some that Naidoo said are important to look out for, including inflammation of the heart and of the brain. If a patient thinks that they are experiencing these symptoms, they should contact their health care team immediately.

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Immunotherapy can cause some side effects that patients and practitioners should look out for.

Immunotherapy Side Effects: Know the Risks

As the use of immunotherapy continues to grow, not only in the lung cancer space, but across numerous cancer types, it is crucial that patients and caregivers understand the potential side effects that these agents might cause, said Jarushka Naidoo, MBBCh, assistant professor of oncology and attending physician at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins University.

While there are some concerns about the potential side effects that a patient can experience on immunotherapy agents such as PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitors, Naidoo also emphasized that these therapies are typically much better tolerated compared to other traditional cancer treatment modalities like chemotherapy. However, it is important for patients and caregivers to understand that these side effects may generally occur or are a direct result of immunotherapy treatment.

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Immunotherapy use continues to expand in the cancer treatment space. So, it is important that patients and caregivers understand its potential side effects.

Jarushka Naidoo, M.B.B.Ch.

Immunotherapy Side Effects: Know the Risks

Understanding Immunotherapy's Side Effects

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