Dr. Choueiri on Using Immunotherapy to Treat RCC

Toni K. Choueiri, MD, clinical director, Lank Center for Genitourinary Oncology, director, Kidney Cancer Center, senior physician, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, discusses why community oncologists should utilize immunotherapy agents to treat patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Immunotherapy agents are known to have a different side effect profile compared with mTOR and VEGF inhibitors, Choueiri explains. Aside from infusion reactions, for example, PD-1/PD-L1 agents may cause colitis, thyroiditis, and pneumonitis. The management of these side effects differ from the management of side effects associated with targeted therapies, he adds. Managing toxicities that stem from immunotherapy agents include stopping the drug and possibly administering steroidal agents.

Choueiri says oncologists should be aware of how to administer immunotherapy agents without increasing toxicities. Having knowledge of the associated side effects and being preemptive will go a long way, he adds.