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Treatment Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor (ICI)

What is immune checkpoint inhibitor* (ICI) therapy?

* You may also see the term immuno-oncology (IO) used when referring to ICI.

• Cancer cells are abnormal. Our immune system is supposed to kill abnormal cells. Cancer cells can disguise themselves
as healthy cells. When they do, our immune system is tricked and can confuse cancer cells for normal cells.

• Our immune system has “on” and “off” switches. When cancer cells disguise themselves as normal cells, the immune
system is switched “off”.
• ICI treatment turns the immune system back ”on” so the immune system can hopefully identify and kill the cancer cells.

Why this treatment?

• You and your doctor have reviewed the various treatment options for your type of cancer

• Part of your treatment includes an infusion into the vein with an immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)
• ICI therapy has been shown in studies to reduce tumour size, reduce cancer symptoms, and extend life in some
patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma

• Examples of ICI include ipilimumab, nivolumab, pembrolizumab

What immune-related side effects can I expect from ICI?

ICI treatment may cause the immune system to attack healthy cells – not just cancer cells.
This may result in immune-related side effects.

• ICI is given to help limit growth of cancer cells. It may also affect some of the healthy cells in the body.
This may result in side effects.

• It is important that you tell your doctor (or cancer care nurse or pharmacist) of any side effects that you experience
during your treatment. Your cancer care team has many ways to manage these side effects.
• You can help your doctor to help you by keeping track of the side effects you experience in the diary section of this
booklet.

Immune-related side effects should be reported to your cancer care team without delay.
See Monitoring for more information on immune-related side effects

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