title: [Adverse effects of new immunologic drugs for melanoma and their management in adult patients].
abstract: Conventional anticancer drugs, cytotoxic agents, function by killing all rapidly dividing cells without distinguishing between cancer cells and normal cells of the body. Understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of the immune system has enabled the development of immunotherapeutic drugs and, through them, liberation of the immune response for the management of cancer. In Finland, interferons and antibody therapies represent the clinically applied immunotherapy of melanoma. While most antibody therapies are fairly harmless, the new drugs enhancing T cell defense are associated with a significant risk of autoimmune adverse effects. Immediate recognition and treatment of adverse effects are essential for the survival of the patients.
authors.forename: Siru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mäkelä
authors.forename: Micaela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hernberg
authors.forename: Pia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vihinen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000009:adverse effects; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005387:Finland; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007372:Interferons / Q000009:adverse effects; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D007372:Interferons