Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that works by stimulating the immune system to attack cancer cells. In recent years, immunotherapy has become an increasingly popular treatment option for mesothelioma and pleural metastasis, as it has shown promising results in clinical trials.
While immunotherapy can be effective in treating cancer, it can also cause side effects. The specific side effects of immunotherapy for mesothelioma and pleural metastasis can vary depending on the type of immunotherapy used, the dosage, and the individual patient’s health status.
To better understand the side effects of immunotherapy for mesothelioma and pleural metastasis, it is important to first understand how immunotherapy works.
Different Types of Immunotherapy for Mesothelioma and Pleural Metastasis
There are several types of immunotherapy that are used to treat mesothelioma and pleural metastasis. These include:
Immune checkpoint inhibitors: These are drugs that block certain proteins on cancer cells that prevent the immune system from attacking them.
CAR T-cell therapy: This is a type of immunotherapy in which the patient’s own immune cells are modified in a lab to better recognize and attack cancer cells.
Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) therapy: This is a type of immunotherapy in which immune cells are extracted from a patient’s tumor, grown in a lab, and then reinfused into the patient to attack the cancer.
Interleukin-2 (IL-2) therapy: This is a type of immunotherapy that uses a protein called interleukin-2 to stimulate the growth and activity of immune cells.
Side Effects of Immunotherapy for Mesothelioma and Pleural Metastasis
While immunotherapy can be an effective way to treat mesothelioma and pleural metastasis, it can also cause side effects. The specific side effects of immunotherapy can vary depending on the type of immunotherapy used, the dosage, and the individual patient’s health status.
Immune checkpoint inhibitors: The most common side effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors include fatigue, diarrhea, nausea, and skin rashes. These side effects are usually mild and can be managed with medication or other treatments.
However, immune checkpoint inhibitors can also cause more serious side effects, including inflammation of the lungs, liver, and other organs. This can lead to symptoms such as shortness of breath, abdominal pain, and jaundice. In rare cases, immune checkpoint inhibitors can cause autoimmune disorders, in which the immune system attacks healthy tissues and organs.
CAR T-cell therapy: The most common side effect of CAR T-cell therapy is a condition called cytokine release syndrome (CRS), which occurs when the modified immune cells release large amounts of cytokines, causing fever, chills, low blood pressure, and other symptoms. In severe cases, CRS can lead to organ damage and even death.
CAR T-cell therapy can also cause neurologic toxicity, which can lead to confusion, seizures, and other neurological symptoms.
TIL therapy: The most common side effects of TIL therapy include fever, chills, and flu-like symptoms. In rare cases, TIL therapy can cause severe allergic reactions or infections.
Interleukin-2 (IL-2) therapy: The most common side effects of IL-2 therapy include fatigue, fever, chills, and flu-like symptoms. IL-2 therapy can also cause low blood pressure, which can lead to dizziness and fainting.
In rare cases, IL-2 therapy can cause more serious side effects, including inflammation of the lungs, liver, and other organs, as well as autoimmune disorders.
Managing Side Effects of Immunotherapy for Mesothelioma and Pleural Metastasis
If you are undergoing immunotherapy for mesothelioma or pleural metastasis, it is important to work closely with your healthcare team to manage any side effects that you may experience. Your healthcare team may recommend medications or other treatments to help manage your symptoms.
In some cases, your healthcare team may need to adjust the dosage or frequency of your immunotherapy to help minimize side effects. They may also recommend that you take other steps to support your overall health, such as getting enough rest, eating a healthy diet, and staying hydrated.
In rare cases, if the side effects of immunotherapy become too severe or life-threatening, it may be necessary to stop the treatment altogether. However, this decision will be made on a case-by-case basis, based on the specific circumstances of each patient.
Conclusion
Immunotherapy is a promising treatment option for mesothelioma and pleural metastasis, but it can also cause side effects. The specific side effects of immunotherapy can vary depending on the type of immunotherapy used, the dosage, and the individual patient’s health status. If you are undergoing immunotherapy for mesothelioma or pleural metastasis, it is important to work closely with your healthcare team to manage any side effects that you may experience.
