Relatlimab Side Effects: What You Need to Know
Relatlimab Side Effects: What You Need to Know
Relatlimab is a new drug that belongs to a class of medications called immune checkpoint inhibitors. These drugs work by boosting the body’s own immune system to fight cancer cells. Relatlimab targets a protein called LAG-3, which is found on some immune cells called T cells. LAG-3 normally acts as a brake on the immune system, but cancer cells can use it to escape immune attack..
Relatlimab is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of patients with advanced melanoma, a type of skin cancer that develops from the cells that control the pigment of the skin. It is used in combination with another drug called nivolumab (Opdivo), which also targets an immune checkpoint protein called PD-1. Together, these drugs can improve survival, response rate, and disease control compared to nivolumab alone in patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma (melanoma that cannot be removed by surgery or has spread to other parts of the body)2.
However, relatlimab can also cause some serious side effects, which are mostly related to its effect on the immune system. These side effects can affect different parts of the body and can be mild or severe. Some of these side effects may occur during or shortly after the infusion of relatlimab, while others may occur days or weeks later. Some of these side effects may require hospitalization or treatment with other medications2.
The most common side effects of relatlimab include:
- Fatigue: Feeling tired or weak
- Rash: Redness, itching, or peeling of the skin
- Arthralgia: Aching or painful joints
- Diarrhea: Loose or watery stools
Other side effects of relatlimab that may occur less frequently but can be more serious include:
- Colitis: Inflammation of the colon, which can cause abdominal pain, cramps, bleeding, or perforation
- Hepatitis: Inflammation of the liver, which can cause jaundice, dark urine, or elevated liver enzymes
- Pneumonitis: Inflammation of the lungs, which can cause cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain
- Endocrinopathies: Disorders of the endocrine glands, which can affect the production of hormones such as thyroid, adrenal, pituitary, or pancreatic hormones. This can cause symptoms such as weight changes, mood changes, hair loss, sweating, or diabetes
- Nephritis: Inflammation of the kidneys, which can cause decreased urine output, blood in urine, or elevated creatinine levels
- Dermatitis: Inflammation of the skin, which can cause blisters, ulcers, or necrosis
- Hypersensitivity: Allergic reactions to relatlimab, which can cause hives, swelling, difficulty breathing, or anaphylaxis
These side effects may vary depending on the individual patient’s condition and medical history. Some factors that may increase the risk or severity of these side effects include:
- Having a history of autoimmune diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or Crohn’s disease
- Having a history of organ transplant or graft-versus-host disease
- Having a history of infections such as tuberculosis, hepatitis B or C, or HIV
- Taking other medications that affect the immune system such as steroids or immunosuppressants
Patients who receive relatlimab should be closely monitored by their health care providers for any signs or symptoms of these side effects. They should also report any new or worsening symptoms to their health care providers as soon as possible. They should not stop taking relatlimab without consulting their health care providers first.
Relatlimab is a promising drug that can offer new hope for patients with advanced melanoma. However, it can also cause some serious side effects that require careful management and attention. Patients who receive relatlimab should be aware of these side effects and follow their health care providers’ instructions on how to prevent or treat them.