Krista Rubin, MS, RN, FNP-BC, Center for Melanoma, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, explains that it is increasing important that nurses understand the cause immune-related toxicities in patients receiving ipilimumab (Yervoy), an immunotherapy approved for patients with metastatic melanoma.

Understanding the unique mechanism of action of ipilimumab is crucial to understanding why the side effects appear. The agent's use of the immune system to fight cancer can result in many unique immune-mediated adverse reactions, which includes enterocolitis, hepatitis, dermatitis, neuropathy, and endocrinopathy.

Rubin states that it is important for more nurses to understand the unique toxicities associated with ipilimumab because the agent may be use to treat other cancer types. The therapy is currently being investigated in trials for prostate cancer and lung cancer, as well as other cancer types.

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Krista Rubin, from Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, on Understanding Ipilimumab's Toxicities.

Krista Rubin on Understanding Ipilimumab's Toxicities

Krista Rubin, MS, RN, FNP-BC, Center for Melanoma, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, discusses the management of immune-mediated dermatitis, a common side effect of ipilimumab (Yervoy), an immunotherapy used to treat patients with advanced melanoma.

Approximately, 50% of patients that receive ipilimumab develop some form of early or mild dermatitis. This may present in the form of a rash, which may or may not itch. Management of this type of dermatitis is fairly conservative and includes the use of over-the-counter antihistamines, H1 and H2 blockers, moisturizers, oatmeal baths, tepid showers or baths, and other common skin irritation relief methods.

Skin-related adverse events that reach grade 3 or 4 often require treatment with systemic or topical corticosteroids. If the dermatitis worsen it may require the patient to be hospitalized and given intravenous corticosteroids, in order to avoid the development of Stevens—Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis, both of which are life-threatening skin conditions that cause the epidermis to separate from the dermis.

Krista Rubin, MS, RN, FNP-BC, from Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, on Managing Ipilimumab-related Dermatitis.


Krista Rubin, MS, RN, FNP-BC

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Krista Rubin on Understanding Ipilimumab's Toxicities

Krista Rubin on Managing Ipilimumab-related Dermatitis