Dr. Figlin on the Safety Profile of Immuno-Oncology Agents in Kidney Cancer

Robert A. Figlin, MD, director, Division of Hematology/Oncology, professor of biomedical sciences and medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, discusses the tolerability and toxicity of immune-oncology agents in kidney cancer.

Immuno-oncology agents are tolerated better than small molecule targeted agents. However, some of the immune-related adverse events can be quite severe. They can produce alterations in multiple endocrine areas such as the pituitary gland, the adrenal gland, and the thyroid, which can result in life-threatening problems in the gastrointestinal tract and the heart.

Overall, immune-oncology approaches are safer, but the magnitude and the difficulty associated with the side effects can be quite severe. Oncologists need to be clinically aware and on top of the side effects before they cause problems. If problems result, oftentimes patients will need steroid therapy, discontinuation of the therapy, and potentially infliximab therapy to modify some of the toxicity.