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Table of Contents
Immunotherapy Treatment
Types
Success Rates
Side Effects
Self-Care
Immunotherapy is a newer class of treatment for lung and other cancers. It primes the body’s natural immune system to fight back against cancer. Immunotherapy has been shown to improve survival in some types and stages of lung cancer.
Immunotherapy works differently for different stages of lung cancer and has variable effects on life expectancy and survival rates. Along with benefits, there are potential side effects with immunotherapy.
Verywell / Joules Garcia
Immunotherapy: An Emerging, New Lung Cancer Treatment
Checkpoint Inhibitors
The immune system has natural mechanisms to prevent it from damaging the body’s healthy cells. Cancer cells sometimes take advantage of these mechanisms, called checkpoints, to hide from the immune system.
Immunotherapies called immune checkpoint inhibitors unlock these switches, letting the immune system “see” and attack the cancer.
When PD-1 on T cells (a type of immune system cell) binds to PD-L1 on the body’s cells, it keeps T-cells from attacking them. Drugs that block this binding boost the immune response against cancer, shrinking some tumors or slowing their growth.
Immunotherapies that block the CTLA-4 mechanism work similarly. CTLA-4 is another protein in T cells that keeps them from attacking healthy body cells.These drugs are often used in conjunction with a PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor.
CAR-T Cell Therapy
Chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy, or CAR-T cell therapy, is a procedure to train the body’s T cells to fight cancer. These cells are removed from the body and changed in the lab. The cells are given genes that help them find and fight cancer.
These changed cells are then infused back into the person with cancer, where they seek out and destroy cancer cells.Currently, CAR-T cell therapies are being tested in clinical trials for different types of lung cancer.
Cancer Vaccines
Cancer vaccines are treatments used to prime the immune system to find and fight cancers. They show the body cancer-related proteins and molecules. The immune system recognizes these proteins in the cancer cells in the body and hunts them down. Currently, cancer vaccines for lung cancer are being tested in clinical trials.
Monoclonal Antibodies
Antibodies are found naturally in our blood and help us fight foreign substances. Monoclonal antibodies (MABs) are synthetic versions that act like normal antibodies but find and go after specific proteins on cancer cells.
The MABs currently used to treat lung cancer stop the formation of new blood vessels that feed cancer growth.Others are being tested in clinical trials.
Types of Lung Cancer Immunotherapy
The three types of lung cancer treated with immunotherapy include:
Immunotherapy drugs are given as an intravenous (IV) infusion, typically through aportorperipherally inserted central catheter (PICC) lineinto a vein. The infusions are done at a medical office, infusion clinic, or hospital.
Immunotherapies approved to treat lung cancers include:
Immunotherapy is often given in combination with several other types of therapy, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or targeted therapies.
They may also be combined with other immunotherapies that work in different ways. Different immunotherapies have been approved for each type of cancer.
The chosen approach depends on:
NSCLC Immunotherapy
Immunotherapytreatments for non-small cell lung cancersinclude the following:
SCLC Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy treatment for small cell lung cancers include the following:
Mesothelioma Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy treatments for mesothelioma include the following:
Lung Cancer Stage and Immunotherapy Success Rate
While many immunotherapies are still relatively new treatments, they have significantly impacted treatment plans for lung cancers.
In terms of success rate, it is currently estimated that long-term survival is possible in more than 15% of people treated with immunotherapy for NSCLC.
Generally, studies of lung cancers have shown that immunotherapy leads to considerable improvement in the person treated. Sometimes, these treatments are preferred over traditional treatments, even as a first treatment option.
Other studies have shown that immunotherapy has even helped people with advanced lung cancers live longer than expected—including taking these drugs for many years, leading to long-lasting remissions and longersurvival rates.
Examples of immunotherapy study results include:
Not all people see the same results from immunotherapies. Some need to stop the drugs because of side effects or adverse reactions. Sometimes cancer keeps growing even after immunotherapy treatment.
Can lung cancer be cured with immunotherapy?Since the majority of people with lung cancer are diagnosed with advanced disease (stage 3 and 4), immunotherapy treatments are unlikely to result in complete cures. However, they may significantly improve survival and provide symptom relief.Immunotherapy is not an option for all lung cancers, and every person will have a different experience with their treatment.
Can lung cancer be cured with immunotherapy?
Since the majority of people with lung cancer are diagnosed with advanced disease (stage 3 and 4), immunotherapy treatments are unlikely to result in complete cures. However, they may significantly improve survival and provide symptom relief.Immunotherapy is not an option for all lung cancers, and every person will have a different experience with their treatment.
Since the majority of people with lung cancer are diagnosed with advanced disease (stage 3 and 4), immunotherapy treatments are unlikely to result in complete cures. However, they may significantly improve survival and provide symptom relief.
Immunotherapy is not an option for all lung cancers, and every person will have a different experience with their treatment.
Researchers are still studying how best to use these drugs and which cancers are best suited to them.
The risk of side effects and reactions increases if two types of immunotherapy are combined.
Immunotherapy side effects include:
Other, more severe side effects occur less often. An infusion reaction may occur after the IV infusion of these drugs. Infusion reactions come on suddenly and can cause:
Tell the healthcare providers immediately if you start having these symptoms at the clinic.
Immunotherapy can sometimes lead to autoimmune reactions because the immune system checkpoints are essential in keeping your immune system from overreacting to your body’s normal, healthy cells.
This reaction can cause severe or life-threatening problems in the lungs, intestines, liver, endocrine glands, kidneys, or other organs.
Always mention any new side effects to your oncologist. They may mean you must stop immunotherapy and get other medicines to reduce damage to your other organs.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any symptoms or side effects, even if you think it isn’t relevant or related. Even if you’ve mentioned a sign before, tell the team about any changes in your health. Your care team or palliative care team can help treat your side effects.
Taking care of your body is essential for immunotherapy or cancer treatment. Eat a healthy diet focusing on fruits, veggies, low-fat foods, and protein-rich snacks. Avoid high-fat animal products and salty foods.
While getting immunotherapy, you may feel extra tired. Listen to your body and rest when you need to. Ask your friends and family to pitch in so you can take it easy.
If you have digestive distress while on immunotherapy, take these steps to improve this side effect:
During immunotherapy, you’ll meet regularly with your care team. They’ll order tests to monitor your health and treatment plan. Tell them about any new side effects or symptoms. You may consider asking some additional questions about your immunotherapy, including:
Summary
Immunotherapy is often given as an infusion and used with other treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. The side effects of immunotherapy can be mild or severe and vary from person to person. Always tell your healthcare team about any side effects or changes in your health.
29 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cancer Research Institute.Immunotherapy for lung cancer.American Cancer Society.Immunotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer.American Cancer Society.CAR T-cell therapy and its side effects.American Lung Association.Lung cancer immunotherapy.Cancer Research UK.Monoclonal antibodies (MABs).American Cancer Society.Targeted drug therapy for non-small cell lung cancer.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Cemiplimab-rwlc injection.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Dostarlimab-gxly injection.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Nivolumab injection.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Pembrolizumab injection.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Durvalumab injection.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Atezolizumab injection.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Ipilimumab injection.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Tremelimumab-actl injection.Avastin.How is Avastin given?.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Ramucirumab injection.National Cancer Institute.Non-small cell lung cancer treatment (PDQ)—patient version.Food and Drug Administration.FDA approves neoadjuvant/adjuvant durvalumab for resectable non-small cell lung cancer.American Cancer Society.Immunotherapy for small cell lung cancer.National Cancer Institute.Small cell lung cancer treatment.American Cancer Society.Immunotherapy for malignant mesothelioma.Putzu C, Canova S, Paliogiannis P, et al.Duration of immunotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer survivors: a lifelong commitment?.Cancers (Basel). 2023;15(3):689. doi:10.3390/cancers15030689Rosner S, Reuss JE, Zahurak M, et al.Five-year clinical outcomes after neoadjuvant nivolumab in resectable non-small cell lung cancer.Clin Cancer Res. 2023;29(4):705-710. doi:10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-22-2994Forde PM, Spicer J, Lu S, et al.Neoadjuvant nivolumab plus chemotherapy in resectable lung cancer.N Engl J Med. 2022;386(21):1973-1985. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2202170Hellmann MD, Ciuleanu TE, Pluzanski A, et al.Nivolumab plus ipilimumab in lung cancer with a high tumor mutational burden.N Engl J Med. 2018;378(22):2093-2104. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1801946Reck M, Rodríguez-Abreu D, Robinson AG, et al.Pembrolizumab versus chemotherapy for PD-L1–positive non–small-cell lung cancer.N Engl J Med. 2016;375(19):1823-1833. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1606774Cleveland Clinic.Immunotherapy side effects.Golonko A, Pienkowski T, Swislocka R, et al.Dietary factors and their influence on immunotherapy strategies in oncology: a comprehensive review.Cell Death Dis. 2024;15(4):254. doi:10.1038/s41419-024-06641-6National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Immunotherapy: questions to ask your doctor.
29 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cancer Research Institute.Immunotherapy for lung cancer.American Cancer Society.Immunotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer.American Cancer Society.CAR T-cell therapy and its side effects.American Lung Association.Lung cancer immunotherapy.Cancer Research UK.Monoclonal antibodies (MABs).American Cancer Society.Targeted drug therapy for non-small cell lung cancer.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Cemiplimab-rwlc injection.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Dostarlimab-gxly injection.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Nivolumab injection.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Pembrolizumab injection.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Durvalumab injection.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Atezolizumab injection.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Ipilimumab injection.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Tremelimumab-actl injection.Avastin.How is Avastin given?.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Ramucirumab injection.National Cancer Institute.Non-small cell lung cancer treatment (PDQ)—patient version.Food and Drug Administration.FDA approves neoadjuvant/adjuvant durvalumab for resectable non-small cell lung cancer.American Cancer Society.Immunotherapy for small cell lung cancer.National Cancer Institute.Small cell lung cancer treatment.American Cancer Society.Immunotherapy for malignant mesothelioma.Putzu C, Canova S, Paliogiannis P, et al.Duration of immunotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer survivors: a lifelong commitment?.Cancers (Basel). 2023;15(3):689. doi:10.3390/cancers15030689Rosner S, Reuss JE, Zahurak M, et al.Five-year clinical outcomes after neoadjuvant nivolumab in resectable non-small cell lung cancer.Clin Cancer Res. 2023;29(4):705-710. doi:10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-22-2994Forde PM, Spicer J, Lu S, et al.Neoadjuvant nivolumab plus chemotherapy in resectable lung cancer.N Engl J Med. 2022;386(21):1973-1985. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2202170Hellmann MD, Ciuleanu TE, Pluzanski A, et al.Nivolumab plus ipilimumab in lung cancer with a high tumor mutational burden.N Engl J Med. 2018;378(22):2093-2104. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1801946Reck M, Rodríguez-Abreu D, Robinson AG, et al.Pembrolizumab versus chemotherapy for PD-L1–positive non–small-cell lung cancer.N Engl J Med. 2016;375(19):1823-1833. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1606774Cleveland Clinic.Immunotherapy side effects.Golonko A, Pienkowski T, Swislocka R, et al.Dietary factors and their influence on immunotherapy strategies in oncology: a comprehensive review.Cell Death Dis. 2024;15(4):254. doi:10.1038/s41419-024-06641-6National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Immunotherapy: questions to ask your doctor.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Cancer Research Institute.Immunotherapy for lung cancer.American Cancer Society.Immunotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer.American Cancer Society.CAR T-cell therapy and its side effects.American Lung Association.Lung cancer immunotherapy.Cancer Research UK.Monoclonal antibodies (MABs).American Cancer Society.Targeted drug therapy for non-small cell lung cancer.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Cemiplimab-rwlc injection.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Dostarlimab-gxly injection.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Nivolumab injection.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Pembrolizumab injection.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Durvalumab injection.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Atezolizumab injection.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Ipilimumab injection.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Tremelimumab-actl injection.Avastin.How is Avastin given?.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Ramucirumab injection.National Cancer Institute.Non-small cell lung cancer treatment (PDQ)—patient version.Food and Drug Administration.FDA approves neoadjuvant/adjuvant durvalumab for resectable non-small cell lung cancer.American Cancer Society.Immunotherapy for small cell lung cancer.National Cancer Institute.Small cell lung cancer treatment.American Cancer Society.Immunotherapy for malignant mesothelioma.Putzu C, Canova S, Paliogiannis P, et al.Duration of immunotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer survivors: a lifelong commitment?.Cancers (Basel). 2023;15(3):689. doi:10.3390/cancers15030689Rosner S, Reuss JE, Zahurak M, et al.Five-year clinical outcomes after neoadjuvant nivolumab in resectable non-small cell lung cancer.Clin Cancer Res. 2023;29(4):705-710. doi:10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-22-2994Forde PM, Spicer J, Lu S, et al.Neoadjuvant nivolumab plus chemotherapy in resectable lung cancer.N Engl J Med. 2022;386(21):1973-1985. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2202170Hellmann MD, Ciuleanu TE, Pluzanski A, et al.Nivolumab plus ipilimumab in lung cancer with a high tumor mutational burden.N Engl J Med. 2018;378(22):2093-2104. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1801946Reck M, Rodríguez-Abreu D, Robinson AG, et al.Pembrolizumab versus chemotherapy for PD-L1–positive non–small-cell lung cancer.N Engl J Med. 2016;375(19):1823-1833. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1606774Cleveland Clinic.Immunotherapy side effects.Golonko A, Pienkowski T, Swislocka R, et al.Dietary factors and their influence on immunotherapy strategies in oncology: a comprehensive review.Cell Death Dis. 2024;15(4):254. doi:10.1038/s41419-024-06641-6National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Immunotherapy: questions to ask your doctor.
Cancer Research Institute.Immunotherapy for lung cancer.
American Cancer Society.Immunotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer.
American Cancer Society.CAR T-cell therapy and its side effects.
American Lung Association.Lung cancer immunotherapy.
Cancer Research UK.Monoclonal antibodies (MABs).
American Cancer Society.Targeted drug therapy for non-small cell lung cancer.
National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Cemiplimab-rwlc injection.
National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Dostarlimab-gxly injection.
National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Nivolumab injection.
National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Pembrolizumab injection.
National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Durvalumab injection.
National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Atezolizumab injection.
National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Ipilimumab injection.
National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Tremelimumab-actl injection.
Avastin.How is Avastin given?.
National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Ramucirumab injection.
National Cancer Institute.Non-small cell lung cancer treatment (PDQ)—patient version.
Food and Drug Administration.FDA approves neoadjuvant/adjuvant durvalumab for resectable non-small cell lung cancer.
American Cancer Society.Immunotherapy for small cell lung cancer.
National Cancer Institute.Small cell lung cancer treatment.
American Cancer Society.Immunotherapy for malignant mesothelioma.
Putzu C, Canova S, Paliogiannis P, et al.Duration of immunotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer survivors: a lifelong commitment?.Cancers (Basel). 2023;15(3):689. doi:10.3390/cancers15030689
Rosner S, Reuss JE, Zahurak M, et al.Five-year clinical outcomes after neoadjuvant nivolumab in resectable non-small cell lung cancer.Clin Cancer Res. 2023;29(4):705-710. doi:10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-22-2994
Forde PM, Spicer J, Lu S, et al.Neoadjuvant nivolumab plus chemotherapy in resectable lung cancer.N Engl J Med. 2022;386(21):1973-1985. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2202170
Hellmann MD, Ciuleanu TE, Pluzanski A, et al.Nivolumab plus ipilimumab in lung cancer with a high tumor mutational burden.N Engl J Med. 2018;378(22):2093-2104. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1801946
Reck M, Rodríguez-Abreu D, Robinson AG, et al.Pembrolizumab versus chemotherapy for PD-L1–positive non–small-cell lung cancer.N Engl J Med. 2016;375(19):1823-1833. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1606774
Cleveland Clinic.Immunotherapy side effects.
Golonko A, Pienkowski T, Swislocka R, et al.Dietary factors and their influence on immunotherapy strategies in oncology: a comprehensive review.Cell Death Dis. 2024;15(4):254. doi:10.1038/s41419-024-06641-6
National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Immunotherapy: questions to ask your doctor.
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