What are the precautions when using durvalumab (durvalumab)? What foods or medications should patients avoid while using it?

Durvalumab (Durvalumab) is an immune checkpoint inhibitor that is a PD-L1 inhibitor. It is mainly used to treat some types of cancer, such as non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and urothelial cancer. It relieves the inhibitory effect of the immune system and activates the function of T cells, thereby enhancing the immune system's recognition and elimination of cancer cells. However, like other immunotherapies, there are some caveats when using durvalumab. Patients should follow the doctor's guidance when using it and avoid certain food and drug interactions to ensure the safety and effectiveness of treatment.

1. Regular monitoring and evaluation

While using durvalumab, patients need regular health checkups and monitoring to evaluate the drug's efficacy and detect possible side effects. As an immunotherapy drug, durvalumab may cause immune-related adverse reactions, such as immune pneumonitis, colitis, hepatitis, endocrine diseases, etc. Therefore, patients need to undergo regular blood tests, liver and kidney function tests, and chest imaging examinations to detect and deal with these potential problems in a timely manner. Patients should also tell their doctor if they have a history of autoimmune disease or other serious health problems.

2. Immune-related side effects

The most common side effects of durvalumab are caused by an overactive immune system. When using durvalumab, patients may experience the following immune-related adverse reactions:

Immune pneumonia: Symptoms include persistent cough, dyspnea, chest pain and other symptoms. Patients should seek medical attention promptly when these symptoms occur.

Immune hepatitis: Symptoms include jaundice, right upper quadrant pain, loss of appetite and other symptoms. Liver function needs to be detected and treated in a timely manner.

Immune colitis: When symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloody stools, etc. occur, patients should contact their doctor in time.

Endocrine disorders: Such as thyroid dysfunction, adrenal insufficiency, etc. These problems may lead to weight changes, increased fatigue, or changes in mental status.

Once these uncomfortable symptoms occur, patients need to communicate closely with their doctors and adjust their treatment plan according to their condition. They may need to suspend medication and, in some cases, use immunosuppressive drugs.

3. Drugs and food taboos

Drug Interactions: Durvalumab may interact with other drugs, affecting the effectiveness of the drugs or increasing the risk of adverse reactions. Before using durvalumab, patients should report to their doctor all medications they are taking, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and herbal supplements, especially those that may suppress or enhance the immune system's response. Common drugs such as steroids, immunosuppressants, etc. may affect the effect of durvalumab, so the medication needs to be adjusted under the guidance of a doctor.

Avoid co-use with immunosuppressants: durvalumab works by activating the immune system, so patients should avoid using it with drugs that suppress the immune system, such as cyclosporine, steroids (such as prednisone), etc. These drugs may reduce the efficacy of durvalumab or make the immune response excessive, thereby increasing the risk of side effects.

Food taboos: Although there are currently no clear food taboos that interact significantly with durvalumab, patients should try to avoid alcohol and irritating foods, such as spicy and greasy foods, as these may aggravate gastrointestinal discomfort symptoms (such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, etc.) that occur during treatment. In addition, during treatment, patients should maintain adequate nutrition and fluid intake and avoid drastic dietary changes to maintain normal body functions and immune system health.

4. Notes for special groups

Pregnant and breastfeeding women: The safety of durvalumab to the fetus is unknown, so pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid using this drug unless their doctor believes that the benefits outweigh the potential risks. Female patients should take effective contraceptive measures during treatment to avoid pregnancy.

Elderly patients: Elderly patients may require special monitoring when using durvalumab because their immune systems may be weaker and more susceptible to immune-related adverse reactions. Therefore, the doctor may adjust the treatment plan based on the patient's overall health.

Patients with hepatic and renal insufficiency: The use of durvalumab may require special caution in patients with pre-existing hepatic and renal insufficiency. The patient's liver and kidney function should be closely monitored during treatment and the dose adjusted if necessary.

As an innovative immunotherapy drug, durvalumab can significantly improve the survival rate of cancer patients, but attention must be paid to the management of immune-related side effects during its use. Patients should regularly monitor their body's response, avoid interactions with immunosuppressive drugs and undesirable foods, and adjust their treatment plan according to their doctor's recommendations. In addition, patients need to pay special attention to their own health, especially liver and kidney function, immune system response, and the combined use of other drugs to ensure the safety and effectiveness of treatment.

Reference materials:https://www.imfinzi.com/