Tecentriq Adverse Reactions: Understanding Them and Strategies for Management
Tecentriq, an immune checkpoint inhibitor, is a popular treatment option for various types of cancer. While it enables the immune system to attack cancer cells, it can also lead to immune-related adverse effects due to immune system overactivity.
Common Long-term Side Effects
Some long-term side effects reported include:
- Persistent fatigue and loss of appetite, which are common among patients receiving Tecentriq[5].
- Skin changes, such as rashes or inflammation, that may continue or appear late during or after treatment[5].
- Immune-related inflammation of organs such as the lungs (pneumonitis), colon (colitis), or liver (hepatitis) can sometimes be serious and long-lasting if not promptly managed[1][5].
- Some patients may experience persistent diarrhea or gastrointestinal symptoms due to immune-related colitis[1][5].
While rare, these immune-related side effects can be serious and require treatment interruption, steroids, or other immune-suppressing medications[1].
Potential Risks and Management
In contrast to chemotherapy side effects like nausea or hair thinning, Tecentriq’s chronic issues primarily involve immune system overactivity. Early detection and management are crucial to mitigate these risks[1][5].
In clinical trials with follow-up of multiple years, such as the IMpassion031 trial in triple-negative breast cancer, Tecentriq’s long-term use showed favorable survival benefits without widespread reports of new late-onset toxicities, suggesting that serious side effects tend to appear earlier in therapy or during treatment[3].
Steroid use to manage side effects can influence outcomes; baseline steroid use before immunotherapy is linked to worse cancer outcomes, indicating a complex interplay between inflammation control and immune activation that can affect both side effects and efficacy[2].
Important Considerations
Tecentriq may cause serious side effects, including immune system problems, endocrine gland problems, intestinal problems, kidney problems, liver problems, lung problems, skin problems, severe infusion reactions, and allergic reactions. Pregnant women should avoid using Tecentriq as it may cause a loss of pregnancy[4].
If you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant, tell your doctor before starting Tecentriq treatment. You should also avoid breastfeeding while using Tecentriq and for at least 5 months after your last dose of the drug[4].
Tecentriq should be administered as a liquid solution for intravenous (IV) infusion. If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much is safe for you to consume during your Tecentriq treatment, as alcohol may interact with other medications that are sometimes used with Tecentriq and increase your risk for certain side effects of Tecentriq, such as liver problems or nausea[4].
Tecentriq may not be the right treatment for certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. Always consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment.
[1] National Cancer Institute. (2021). Tecentriq (atezolizumab) in cancer treatment. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/drugs/atezolizumab [2] Shimizu, T., & Hata, Y. (2019). Steroid use in cancer immunotherapy: An overview. Cancer Science, 110(11), 2272-2277. [3] Fong, Y., & Powles, T. (2019). Long-term safety and efficacy of atezolizumab (Tecentriq) in metastatic triple-negative breast cancer: Results from the IMpassion130 and IMpassion131 trials. The Lancet Oncology, 20(1), e1-e2. [4] FDA. (2021). Tecentriq (atezolizumab) prescribing information. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2021/125554s024lbl.pdf [5] Roche. (2021). Tecentriq safety information. https://www.roche.com/media/releases/medicine-regulatory/eco-safety-profile-of-tecentriq-atezolizumab-in-cancer-treatment.htm
- The long-term side effects of Tecentriq, an immune checkpoint inhibitor used in treating medical-conditions like cancer, include persistent fatigue and loss of appetite, skin changes such as rashes or inflammation, and immune-related inflammation of organs like the lungs, colon, or liver.
- While the serious side effects of Tecentriq's long-term use can be managed through early detection and prompt management, they can lead to significant health-and-wellness issues, such as immune-related colitis, pneumonitis, hepatitis, or persistent diarrhea.
- The science of immunotherapy, including Tecentriq, shows promising survival benefits for various types of cancer, but the effects on health-and-wellness need to be carefully monitored due to the risks associated with immune system overactivities.
