Toripalimab at a glance
Medicine class
Humanised monoclonal antibody and PD-1 immune-checkpoint inhibitor
Licensed uses
Selected advanced nasopharyngeal and oesophageal squamous cell cancers in adults
Administration
Intravenous infusion given by a specialist cancer team alongside chemotherapy
Key safety issue
Immune-related inflammation can affect almost any organ and may begin after treatment ends
What is Toripalimab used for?
UK-licensed uses in adults are:
With cisplatin and gemcitabine for recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma unsuitable for surgery or radiotherapy, or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
With cisplatin and paclitaxel for unresectable advanced, recurrent or metastatic oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
How does Toripalimab work?
Toripalimab blocks the PD-1 receptor from interacting with PD-L1 and PD-L2. This releases an immune-system brake and can strengthen T-cell activity against cancer.
Toripalimab preparations and strengths
Solution for infusion
Route: Intravenous
Strengths: 240 mg
How to take Toripalimab
Toripalimab is prepared and infused into a vein by trained staff in a hospital or clinic. Carry the supplied patient alert card and show it whenever you receive healthcare.
Tell staff immediately about fever, chills, rash, itching, nausea, dizziness or breathing problems during the infusion.
Do not stop attending treatment without discussing it with your oncology team.
Toripalimab side effects
Common or expected effects
- Blood-count changes, including anaemia and reduced white cells or platelets
- Nausea, vomiting, reduced appetite or constipation
- Tiredness
- Rash or itching
- Underactive thyroid
- Abnormal liver tests
- Cough
- Low blood sodium
- Numbness or tingling
Get urgent medical advice
- New cough, chest pain or breathlessness: possible lung inflammation
- Persistent diarrhoea, blood or mucus in stools, or severe abdominal pain: possible bowel inflammation
- Yellow skin or eyes, dark urine or unusual bruising: possible liver inflammation
- Severe headache, fainting, unusual thirst, frequent urination or marked weakness: possible hormone-gland inflammation or diabetes
- Chest pain, irregular heartbeat or severe muscle weakness: possible heart or muscle inflammation
- Reduced or altered urine: possible kidney inflammation
- Blistering or peeling skin, or sores affecting the mouth, nose or genitals
- Fever, chills, breathing problems, dizziness or collapse during infusion
Toripalimab in pregnancy
There are no pregnancy data for toripalimab, and its immune mechanism may harm a developing baby. It should generally be avoided during pregnancy unless the specialist team considers the potential benefit greater than the risk. Effective contraception is required during treatment and for four months afterwards.
Toripalimab while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether toripalimab enters human milk, and risk to a breastfed child cannot be excluded. Breastfeeding should be avoided during treatment and for four months afterwards; discuss feeding options with the oncology and maternity teams.
Toripalimab interactions
Formal interaction studies have not been performed, although conventional metabolic interactions are not expected. The oncology team should review all prescribed, non-prescribed and herbal products.
Systemic corticosteroids
Use before starting toripalimab may interfere with its immune effect; corticosteroids may still be required to treat immune-related reactions or support chemotherapy.
Other systemic immunosuppressants
Use before treatment may reduce toripalimab's activity, but specialist-directed immunosuppression may be needed to manage toxicity.
Live vaccines
These are generally avoided during systemic anticancer therapy. Agree vaccine type and timing with the cancer team.
Common questions about Toripalimab
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is toripalimab chemotherapy?
No. It is an immunotherapy that blocks PD-1, although its UK-licensed uses involve chemotherapy.
Can side effects start after treatment ends?
Yes. Immune-related inflammation can first appear after toripalimab has stopped, so report new symptoms promptly.
Can toripalimab affect the thyroid or lungs?
Yes. It can cause thyroid disorders and lung inflammation. New cough, chest pain or breathlessness require prompt assessment.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.