What are the side effects of immunotherapy?

Immunotherapy is a form of treatment that helps the body fight cancer by stimulating the immune system to recognize and attack tumor cells. While it can be an effective way to treat certain types of cancers, there are some potential side effects associated with immunotherapy.

The most common side effects reported from immunotherapy are fatigue, skin rash or itching, joint pain and stiffness, diarrhea, fever or chills, nausea and vomiting. Other less common but more serious side effects may include a weakened immune system leading to infections; inflammation of the lungs (pneumonitis), liver (hepatitis) or other organs; enlarged lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy); autoimmune disorders such as thyroiditis, colitis or arthritis; and rare cases of heart inflammation (myocarditis). In some cases these adverse events may require hospitalization or treatment with steroids or other medications.
It’s important for patients receiving immunotherapy to be monitored closely by their healthcare team in order to note any signs of possible side effects and take appropriate measures if needed.