How do immune checkpoint inhibitors work?
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Side Effects
Immune checkpoints are a normal part of the immune system. They prevent an immune response from being so strong that it destroys healthy cells. Immune checkpoint inhibitors are a type of immunotherapy. They stop the immune system from turning off before cancer is completely eliminated.
What are the side effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors?
Immune checkpoint inhibitors can cause various side effects. Your risk for side effects will depend on your health before treatment, your type of cancer and its stage, the type of immune checkpoint inhibitor you are receiving, and the dose. Your care team may be able to prescribe medications to help manage the side effects.
You receive immunotherapy through a vein in your arm (an infusion). It is possible (but rare) to have side effects as a reaction to your infusion. These include:
- Chills or shaking
- Itching or rash
- Flushing (you feel hot and your skin turns pink or red)
- Difficulty breathing
- Dizziness
- Fever
- Feeling faint
Immunotherapy stimulates the immune system. After your infusion, your immune system starts to attack the cancer cells. You may feel tired and achy for a few days. If your immune cells start to attack normal parts of your body, this can cause other side effects. The information below describes possible side effects and symptoms.
Immunotherapy side effects: What to know
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Possible Side Effects and Symptoms
When to seek emergency care
While many side effects are temporary, others may indicate serious problems. If you have any of the symptoms below, go to the nearest hospital emergency center right away. When possible, tell your provider that you are going to the hospital. Call your clinic or send a message through MyChart.
- Shortness of breath when at rest
- Seizures
- Loss of consciousness
- Change in mental state
- Chest pain
- Change in your heartbeat
- Extremely low blood pressure with dizziness (systolic blood pressure below 90 or diastolic blood pressure below 60)
- Dizziness or fainting
- Your blood sugar levels are greater than 300 mg/dL at home
- Loss of vision
- Headache that does not go away
- Vomiting that does not go away
- Severe abdominal (stomach area) pain
- More than seven bowel movements in a day
- Blood in stools or dark, tarry stools
- No urination
- Loss of motor function or sudden muscle weakness (such as the inability to walk or loss of control of bowel movements)
- Loss of feeling in your hands or feet
- Skin blistering or peeling
- Skin rash covering more than half of your body
- Bleeding that does not stop
- Severe pain that does not go away
Learn more about immune checkpoint inhibitors.
