Immunotherapy Toxicity (irAE)

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Cancer Clinical reference

Immunotherapy Toxicity (irAE)

Immune-related adverse events (irAEs) from checkpoint inhibitors (PD-1, PD-L1, CTLA-4) affect any organ. Most common: dermatitis, colitis, pneumonitis, hepatitis, endocrinopathies. Steroids are primary treatment.

irAE immune related adverse events checkpoint inhibitor toxicity immunotherapy toxicity pembrolizumab toxicity nivolumab toxicity

Terms

ICD-10

Evidence

Trials

Latest evidence

Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) 2020 clinical practice recommendations for the management of severe gastrointestinal and hepatic toxicities from checkpoint inhibitors.

• Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer • 2020

Core official overview

What this condition is

What is prostate cancer?Cancer is a disease in which cells in the body grow out of control. Prostate cancer begins in the cells of the prostate. The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system. It lies just below the bladder. It makes fluid that is part of semen.Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer. It often grows very slowly. If it does not spread to other parts of the body, it may not…

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Common tests

Tests performed

CBC BMP LFTs TSH + free T4 ACTH stim test (suspected adrenal) Cortisol (morning) CT chest (pneumonitis) Colonoscopy (severe colitis)

Common medications

Recognize the drug and the class

Hold immunotherapy (grade ≥2) Prednisone 1-2 mg/kg/day (most irAEs) IV Methylprednisolone (severe: pneumonitis, colitis, hepatitis) Infliximab (steroid-refractory colitis) Mycophenolate (steroid-refractory hepatitis) Hormone replacement (endocrinopathies — lifelong often)

Related nursing diagnoses

NANDA diagnoses & care plans

Use these direct links to open nursing diagnoses and care-plan support related to Immunotherapy Toxicity (irAE).

Diarrhea Impaired Gas Exchange Activity Intolerance Anxiety Deficient Knowledge

Official education links

Plain-language study support

Useful for plain-language reinforcement and quick review.

Prostate Cancer What is prostate cancer?Cancer is a disease in which cells in the body grow out of control. Prostate cancer begins in the cells of the prostate. The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system. It lies just below the bladder. It makes fluid that is part of semen.Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer. It often grows very slowly. If it does not spread to other parts of the body, it may not… Lung Cancer What is lung cancer?Lung cancer is cancer that forms in tissues of the lung, usually in the cells that line the air passages. It is the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women.There are two main types: small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. These two types grow differently and are treated differently. Non-small cell lung cancer is the more common type.Who is more likely to develop lung ca… Cancer Immunotherapy What is immunotherapy?Immunotherapy is a cancer treatment that helps your immune system fight cancer. It is a type of biological therapy. Biological therapy uses substances made from living organisms or versions of these substances made in a lab. Immunotherapy isn't used for all cancers, and the response to treatment varies. If you're getting immunotherapy, your health care provider will monitor your treatment close… Radiation Therapy What is radiation therapy?Radiation therapy is a cancer treatment. It uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells and stop them from spreading. It may also be used for easing cancer symptoms. Radiation therapy may damage healthy cells. They can usually repair themselves more easily than cancer cells.You may need days or weeks of treatment before the radiation starts killing cancer cells. But cancer cells shoul…