It is difficult to put into words the fear and shock that comes with learning that you have cancer. But with the advancement of modern medicine, there are now very effective treatments to fight cancer. Dostarlimab is one such new, promising treatment. It is like helping our body's own army, the immune system, recognize and attack cancer cells. Today, we will simply talk about this Dostarlimab vaccine, how it works, what to be careful about, and everything else.
What kind of medicine is Dostarlimab?
Simply put, Dostarlimab is a drug used to treat certain types of cancer. It belongs to a class of drugs called ``monoclonal antibodies.'' It does a wonderful job. The main function of this drug is to tell our body's immune system that cancer cells are harmful to the body and need to be destroyed. Then our own immune system starts to stop the spread of cancer cells or destroy them.
This medicine is usually available in the market under the name `(Jemperli)`. But remember, this is not a medicine for all cancers. Only your doctor can decide whether this is suitable for your cancer condition or not.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting treatment
It is very important to tell your doctor about your complete medical history before starting treatment with Dostarlimab. This is because some medical conditions require special care when using this medicine. Be sure to tell your doctor if any of the following apply to you.
- If you have had a stem cell transplant: This means that you have had stem cells from someone else (allogeneic stem cell transplant).
- Autoimmune diseases: These are conditions in which your body's immune system attacks your own healthy cells. For example, if you have diseases like Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis , or lupus.
- If you have had radiation treatment to the chest area.
- Nervous system diseases: If you have nerve-related diseases such as Guillain-Barre syndrome or myasthenia gravis.
- If you have had another organ transplant.
- Allergies: If you have an allergy to Dostarlimab or any other medicine, food, or dye.
- If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant: This is very important. Getting pregnant while taking this medicine can cause serious harm to the baby.
- If you are a mother who is breastfeeding.
How do you use this medicine?
This is not a medicine you can take home. Dostarlimab is an injection that is injected into a vein. So it is given in a hospital or clinic by a doctor or trained nursing staff.
- Before treatment is given, you will be given a special leaflet (MedGuide) that contains information about this medicine. Always read it carefully.
- If you are giving this medicine to children, special care should be taken, so talk to your doctor about it.
Important: This medicine is for you only. Do not share it with anyone else for any reason.
What to do if you overdose?
Since this is given under medical supervision, the chances of an overdose are very low. However, if you have any suspicion that something has happened, immediately contact the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
What if I miss a dose?
It is very important to take the prescribed doses on the prescribed days for the success of this treatment. Therefore, be sure to go exactly to the days and times given by the doctor. If for some emergency reason you are unable to go on the prescribed date, call your medical team immediately and inform them.
Things to be especially careful about during treatment
Your medical team will monitor you closely while you are taking this medicine. This may include regular blood tests. In addition, you should also be aware of these things.
- Serious skin reactions: This medicine can sometimes cause serious skin reactions. These can occur even weeks after starting the medicine. If you develop red or purple skin rashes along with fever, body aches, and then blisters and the skin peels off, tell your doctor right away. Also, if you notice redness of the skin with swelling of the face, lips, or small bumps on the neck or armpits, call your doctor right away.
- Vision changes: If you notice any changes or blurring in your vision, report it immediately.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: This is very important . You should avoid becoming pregnant while taking this medicine and for 4 months after stopping treatment . This can cause serious birth defects in your baby. Therefore, you should make sure you are not pregnant before starting treatment and use an effective form of birth control throughout this time. Also, you should completely avoid breastfeeding your baby during treatment and for 4 months after stopping treatment.
Possible side effects
Like any medicine, Dostarlimab can cause side effects. Some of them can be serious and should be reported immediately. Some are not so serious. Let's understand these clearly from the table below.
| Side effect | Description |
|---|---|
| If you experience these symptoms, tell your doctor immediately. | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Breathing difficulties | Unexplained dry cough, difficulty breathing. |
| Eye problems | Eye redness, pain, tearing, blurred or decreased vision. |
| Inflammation of the heart muscle | Unusual tiredness, shortness of breath, chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, swelling of the ankles, feet, or hands. |
| Problems with the hormonal glands | Headache, sensitivity to light, unusual tiredness, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, increased sensitivity to cold or heat, excessive sweating, constipation, hair loss, excessive thirst, tremors. |
| Infusion reactions | Chest pain, difficulty breathing, fainting, or dizziness. |
| Kidney injury | Decreased urine output, red or dark brown urine, foamy urine, swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet. |
| Liver injury | Pain in the upper right side of the stomach, loss of appetite, nausea, tarry stools, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing of the skin or eyes, unusual tiredness. |
| Nervous system problems | Pain in the limbs, numbness, weakness, muscle weakness, vision changes, confusion, difficulty speaking, difficulty walking, seizures. |
| Severe skin reactions | Skin rash, fever, and swelling of the skin. Redness, blistering, peeling skin (even inside the mouth). |
| Severe stomach pain | Sudden severe stomach pain, bloody diarrhea, fever, nausea, vomiting. |
| These are usually not serious, but if they persist, tell your doctor. | |
| Common side effects | Bone, joint or muscle pain, diarrhea, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, mild skin rashes. |
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you experience anything unusual, don't be afraid to talk to your doctor about it.
Take-Home Message
- Dostarlimab is a modern treatment that helps your own immune system fight cancer cells.
- Before starting treatment, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and medications you are taking.
- Don't miss your scheduled treatment dates. If you can't go, let us know immediately.
- Always be on the lookout for serious side effects like severe skin reactions, difficulty breathing, and chest pain. If you notice any of these, seek medical advice immediately.
- Avoid pregnancy and breastfeeding completely during treatment and for 4 months after stopping.
- Talk openly with your doctor about any questions or concerns you may have. You are not alone in this battle.
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