Nuances of Immunotherapy-Related AEs in Melanoma

Kathleen Madden, FNP, MSN, AOCNP, APHN, nurse practitioner, Melanoma Program, NYU Langone Health's Perlmutter Cancer Center, discusses the nuances of immunotherapy related adverse events (AEs) in melanoma.

It’s important to be familiar with the agents that patients are receiving as each drug has a nuanced toxicity profile, says Madden. For example, PD-1 inhibitors can have more pulmonary and renal toxicities, but patients also tend to stay on these agents for a little bit longer. CTLA-4 inhibitors, especially in the standard dose or in combination, will be administered in a briefer period of time. Gastrointestinal toxicities tend to be more nuanced with CTLA-4 inhibitors; however, combinations can exacerbate those types of AEs.

When patients come to the clinic, providers should discuss the organ systems that may be impacted by treatment. In doing so, providers can collect information and patients can gain valuable insight into the types of AEs to be aware of, concludes Madden.