Linardou, H., & Gogas, H. (2016). Toxicity management of immunotherapy for patients with metastatic melanoma. Annals of Translational Medicine, 4, 272.
RESOURCE TYPE: Expert opinion
PHASE OF CARE: Active antitumor treatment
Expert opinion level only. The evidence is derived only from initial drug clinical trials.
Limited research evidence regarding interventions to prevent and manage side effects of immunotherapies exists, and most relies on corticosteroid treatment with increased dosing according to the severity of the side effects. Nurses need to be aware that diarrhea, in particular, with immunotherapy can lead to severe colitis, which can be life-threatening and require surgical removal of the colon. Patients need to be taught to report side effects promptly, and patients need to be monitored closely for these adverse events, with prompt intervention.