86 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com The new treatment is not without side effects; they tend to be short-term and intense, but greatly outweigh the side effects of chemotherapy, according to Alexander. Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurotoxicity can occur as a result of the body’s immune response; CRS can cause fever, low blood pressure and trouble breathing, and patients with neurotoxicity present with an altered mental state. Now that it has been through clinical trials and approved, these side effects are known and quickly managed. “We are admitting the patients for the first two doses for 24-hour monitoring, and then receiving them in the clinic after that as an outpatient,” Alexander said, giving credit to the nursing staff in the HOPE Unit at MUSC Health’s Ashley River Tower, who are well-versed in managing these side effects through similar treatments for blood cancers. Though tarlatamab is the first approved treatment for solid tumors specific to lung cancer, treatments similar to BiTE are available for liquid tumors like lymphomas and myeloma. Trials are currently underway to evaluate whether the treatment for small cell lung cancer should begin earlier, rather than delaying treatment to confirm the results of chemotherapy. Alexander is hopeful that the methods used in this revolutionary treatment for small cell lung cancer could be applied toward solid tumors of other types. “Cancer as a whole is actually hundreds of distinct diseases. But hopefully the methods of this therapy can be applied to find treatments for others in the future,” she smiled. “It will be incredible to have more drugs of this nature, and that is where the oncology solid tumor field is moving.” health & wellness Charting Your Course to Healthier Vision! CompassVisionCare.com Dr. Betsy Fraser | 843.225.1168 495 Wando Park Blvd., Suite 101 Mt. Pleasant • Comprehensive Eye Wellness Exams • Dry Eye Treatment • Optomap Retinal Imaging • Pediatric Eye Exams • Dry Eye Treatment • Digital Eye Health • Anti-Aging Eye Care • Eyeglasses & Contact Lenses Weight gain, not sleeping, brain fog? Hormones are a part of the equation. At-home hormone testing kits are available at Pitt Street Pharmacy! Find out if you could benefit from hormone therapy, and get on the right track to feeling your best. Stop by the pharmacy to talk with our hormone experts! Experience, education, and care to help you and your pets live your best lives. 111 Pitt Street, Mount Pleasant, SC P: 843-884-4051 F: 843-884-9117 PittStreetPharmacy.com
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