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Minimizing immunotherapy's potentially harmful side effects (Prophylactic tocilizumab reduced bad immune response from 72% to 13%)
Medical Xpress / University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine / Blood Cancer Discovery ^
| Jan. 4, 2024
| C. Ola Landgren, M.D. et al
Posted on 01/08/2024 10:05:41 PM PST by ConservativeMind
Recent advances in treating multiple myeloma and other blood malignancies are providing improved outcomes—and hope—to patients worldwide.
But treatment breakthroughs such as the immunotherapy drug teclistamab can lead to potentially lethal side effects, including cytokine release syndrome (CRS).
These potential side effects have necessitated giving immunotherapy drugs in the hospital setting.
Now, new research indicates that providing prophylactic treatment before immunotherapy can significantly reduce the rate of CRS in multiple myeloma patients.
The study could eliminate the need to administer teclistamab and other immunotherapies in hospitals.
In a key clinical study, teclistamab produced an overall response rate of 63% in multiple myeloma patients whose tumors had failed to respond to multiple previous therapies or had become resistant to them.
"These immunotherapy drugs work by revving the immune system's response against the tumor," Landgren explained. "But the process can lead to an overactive immune response, the hallmark of CRS."
Physicians often treat CRS with drugs that counteract the cytokine release that causes T cells to go into overdrive. Tocilizumab, for example, has been used for years to treat CRS from immunotherapies.
Landgren and colleagues were inspired to conduct their research after reviewing preliminary data from a 2022 study on multiple myeloma patients treated prophylactically with tocilizumab. That study showed the approach eased CRS in patients receiving a different bispecific T-cell engager than teclistamab.
In their study, which included 31 multiple myeloma patients, Landgren and collaborators reported that only 13% developed CRS after prophylactic treatment with tocilizumab. The results were in contrast to the 72% observed in an earlier study treating patients for CRS as symptoms arose. Additionally, patients in this newer study had less severe CRS and lower rates of its recurrence.
"Prophylactic treatment with tocilizumab is now standard of care at Sylvester for multiple myeloma patients," said Andrew Kowalski, PharmD.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
TOPICS: Health/Medicine
KEYWORDS: immunotherapy; medicalxpress
Only 13% had an overactive immune system issue when prophylactically treated with tocilizumab, with their immunotherapy, versus 72% without it (normal treatment).
They found no issues with immunotherapy efficacy, when adding the tocilizumab.
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2
posted on
01/08/2024 10:06:10 PM PST
by
ConservativeMind
(Trump: Befuddling Democrats, Republicans, and the Media for the benefit of the US and all mankind.)
To: ConservativeMind
To: ConservativeMind
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/tocilizumab-intravenous-route-subcutaneous-route/side-effects/drg-20073821?p=1Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
- Black, tarry stools
- bloody or cloudy urine
- blurred vision
- body aches or pain
- chest pain or tightness
- chills
- cough with or without mucus
- diarrhea
- difficult, burning, or painful urination
- difficulty breathing
- difficulty swallowing
- dizziness
- ear congestion
- fast heartbeat
- feeling of warmth
- fever
- frequent urge to urinate
- headache
- hives, itching, skin rash
- loss of appetite
- loss of consciousness
- loss of voice
- lower back or side pain
- nausea
- nervousness
- pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
- painful blisters on the trunk of the body
- pale skin
- pounding in the ears
- puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
- redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
- slow or fast heartbeat
- sneezing
- sore throat
- stomach pain
- stuffy or runny nose
- sudden sweating
- ulcers, sores, or white spots in the mouth
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- unusual tiredness or weakness
Less common
- Accumulation of pus
- anxiety
- bladder pain
- burning feeling in the chest or stomach
- confusion
- dark urine
- decrease in height
- decreased urine
- difficulty moving
- dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
- dry mouth
- fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
- feeling hot
- general feeling of discomfort or illness
- heartburn
- increased thirst
- indigestion
- itching, pain, redness, swelling, tenderness, or warmth on the skin at the injection site
- joint pain
- light-colored stools
- loss of appetite
- mood changes
- muscle ache, pain, cramp, or stiffness
- numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
- pain in the back, ribs, arms, legs, groin, or genitals
- severe stomach pain
- sharp back pain just below the ribs
- shivering
- stomach upset
- sweating
- swollen joints
- swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the face, neck, armpit, or groin
- swollen, red, or tender area of infection
- tenderness in the stomach area
- trouble with sleeping
- unexplained runny nose or sneezing
- vomiting
- yellow eyes and skin
Rare
- Belching
- changes in skin color
- coughing or spitting up blood
- fainting
- gaseous stomach pain
- lightheadedness
- neck pain
- night sweats
- noisy breathing
- rapid, shallow breathing
- recurrent fever
- red, tender, or oozing skin at the wounded area
- sudden high fever or low-grade fever for months
- swelling of the foot or leg
- weight loss
Incidence not known
- Blistering, peeling, loosening of the skin
- bloating
- dilated neck veins
- pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
- red skin lesions, often with a purple center
- red, irritated eyes
- severe stomach pain, cramping, or burning
- swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
- vomiting of material that looks like coffee grounds, severe and continuous
- weight gain
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
- Burning, dry, or itching eyes
- constipation
- discharge, excessive tearing
- redness, pain, or swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
- skin rash, encrusted, scaly and oozing
- swelling or inflammation of the mouth
Less common
- Abnormal or decreased touch sensation
- bleeding or redness and swelling of the gums
- blemishes on the skin
- bloody eye
- chapped, red, or swollen lips
- earache
- feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
- irritation in the mouth
- loose teeth
- persistent breath odor or bad taste in your mouth
- pimples
- redness or swelling in the ear
- scaling, redness, burning, pain, or other signs of inflammation on the lips
- sensation of spinning
- sore mouth or tongue
- white patches in the mouth or on the tongue
Rare
- Bleeding after passing stool
- blindness
- bloody nose
- burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations
- change in hearing
- continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
- coughing or spitting up blood
- decreased vision or other changes in vision
- dry mouth
- ear drainage
- flushed, dry skin
- fruit-like breath odor
- hearing loss
- increased hunger, thirst, urination
- itching ears
- uncomfortable swelling around the anus
- unexplained weight loss
- unsteadiness or awkwardness
- weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
4
posted on
01/08/2024 10:54:52 PM PST
by
ransomnote
(IN GOD WE TRUST)
To: ransomnote
5
posted on
01/08/2024 10:59:43 PM PST
by
Mears
To: ransomnote
Believe it or not, despite those issues, it still makes sense to take it, when dealing with cancer.
Do you want to live, or die?
6
posted on
01/08/2024 10:59:59 PM PST
by
ConservativeMind
(Trump: Befuddling Democrats, Republicans, and the Media for the benefit of the US and all mankind.)
To: ConservativeMind
In the General/Chat forum, on a thread titled Minimizing immunotherapy's potentially harmful side effects (Prophylactic tocilizumab reduced bad immune response from 72% to 13%), ConservativeMind wrote: |
Believe it or not, despite those issues, it still makes sense to take it, when dealing with cancer. Do you want to live, or die? |
Believe it or not, that's a false dichotomy. There are other options and tocilizumab does not necessarily decide between life and death.
I first heard about tocilizumab when the CDC was refusing to provide or permit the use of Ivermectin and HCQ. The Toxic CDC protocol for Covid included Remdesivir and tocilizumab, as did some hospitals.
https://www.cdc.gov/library/covid19/pdf/public_pdfs/2020_10_30_Science-Update_Final-Public_v2.pdf
Remdesivir was a known organ killer. But Ivermectin was denied and Remdesivir was designated THE DRUG OF CHOICE. Some hospitals likewise ruled out HCQ/Ivermectin but ruled in tocilizumab. This did not give me confidence.
For this reason I want people to know what doctors no longer bother to tell patients - the side effects
7
posted on
01/08/2024 11:09:29 PM PST
by
ransomnote
(IN GOD WE TRUST)
To: ConservativeMind
Friend of mine was being treated with Keytruda. Worked on the cancer but attacked her liver. This article is helpful.
To: ConservativeMind
9
posted on
01/09/2024 3:52:53 AM PST
by
sauropod
(The obedient always think of themselves as virtuous rather than cowardly.)
To: ransomnote
10
posted on
01/09/2024 5:16:15 AM PST
by
trebb
(So many fools - so little time...)
To: FlipWilson
I take Keytruda. I was taking it every 3 weeks, then my dr. changed it to every 6 weeks, but with a larger dose. Once he did this, I developed itchy rashes all over my torso and groin. Drove me crazy. He put me on Prednisone and that helped a whole lot, and then he moved me back to every 3 weeks. I have about 6 months left then I’m done. at least I don’t have to get chemo.
11
posted on
01/09/2024 6:42:44 AM PST
by
gop4lyf
(Gay marriage is neither. Democrats are the party of sore losers and pedophiles.)
To: gop4lyf
Yah, Keytruda nuked my friends liver. She had to get off of it. I hope your treatments are working. Prayers.
To: FlipWilson
My dr. keeps a pretty close eye on my liver function. He told me up front that it could be hard on my liver.
13
posted on
01/09/2024 10:59:35 AM PST
by
gop4lyf
(Gay marriage is neither. Democrats are the party of sore losers and pedophiles.)
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