Dr. Shuo Ma Discusses Side Effects from New Treatments in NHL

Shuo Ma, MD, PhD, assistant professor at Northwestern University in the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, discusses some of the side effects that come with new agents approved for the treatment of non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.

It is important to know the safety profile of these agents in order to monitor for serious side effects and potential drug interaction, Ma says.

Idelalisib, for example, can cause severe diarrhea. It is important to advise patients, especially elderly patients, to contact their health care providers if they experience any symptoms of severe diarrhea in order to prevent dehydration.

Another novel therapy, ibrutinib, is known to cause an increased risk of bleeding in patients. Therefore, if patients are taking ibrutinib along with anti-coagulation therapies, they should be closely monitored.