Immunotherapy Side Effects
Because immunotherapies focus on cancer cells specifically rather than all fast-growing cells, they may be better tolerated than chemotherapy. But immune-based therapy can cause its own side effects. Boosting or taking the brakes off the immune system can lead to excessive immune responses that harm healthy tissue. Checkpoint inhibitors can cause excessive inflammation of almost any organ, including the lungs, intestines, liver and thyroid gland. CAR-T therapy can cause a potentially fatal immune reaction called cytokine release syndrome, with side effects ranging from fever and flu-like symptoms to low blood pressure, brain swelling and organ failure. But as these therapies come into wider use, doctors are learning to quickly recognize and manage their side effects.
