What side effects are patients asking about with pembrolizumab?
Pembrolizumab, a monoclonal antibody, is used to treat various types of cancer, including melanoma, lung cancer, and head and neck cancer [1]. As with any therapy, patients may experience side effects when taking pembrolizumab. According to the FDA approval information and clinical trials, common side effects include:
* Fatigue or weakness (up to 38% of patients)
* Diarrhea (up to 30% of patients)
* Rash or irritation on the skin (up to 24% of patients)
* Nausea and vomiting (up to 21% of patients)
* Joint and muscle pain (up to 19% of patients)
* Increased blood sugar levels (up to 16% of patients)
* Skin discoloration or dryness (up to 15% of patients)
How common are severe side effects?
In clinical trials, severe side effects, such as Grade 3 or higher, occurred in 17-30% of patients taking pembrolizumab [2]. These severe side effects can include:
* Colitis (inflammation of the colon) in 2-4% of patients
* Pneumonitis (inflammation of the lungs) in 1-3% of patients
* Increased risk of immune-related adverse events, such as liver damage, kidney damage, or inflammation of the thyroid gland
Why do these side effects occur?
Pembrolizumab works by enhancing the body's immune response, which can lead to side effects, especially those related to the immune system. The drug increases the risk of immune-related adverse events (irAEs), which can impact various organs and systems in the body [3]. Patients taking pembrolizumab should be closely monitored by their healthcare provider for signs and symptoms of irAEs.
Sources:
[1] U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2014). Keytruda (pembrolizumab) injection, for intravenous use.
[2] Robert, C., et al. (2015). Pembrolizumab versus ipilimumab in advanced melanoma. The New England Journal of Medicine, 372(26), 2521–2532.
[3] Di Giacomo, A. M., et al. (2017). Immune checkpoint inhibitors: a review of the current literature on toxicities and management strategies. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 35(18), 2156–2167.