Forty-three percent of melanoma patients have chronic complications from immunotherapies

Source: VUMC Reporter, March 2021

Chronic side effects among melanoma survivors after treatment with anti-PD-1 immunotherapies are more common than previously recognized, according to a study published March 25 in JAMA Oncology.

The chronic complications, which occurred in 43% of patients, affected the joints and endocrine system most commonly, and less often involved salivary glands, eyes, peripheral nerves and other organs. These complications may be long lasting, with only 14% of cases having been resolved at last follow-up. This finding contrasted with previously reported immunotherapy-related acute complications that affected visceral organs — including the liver, colon, lungs and kidneys — which were effectively treated with steroids. However, the vast majority of chronic complications were not severe or life threatening.

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