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- However, it is possible to achieve responses with low dosages of IL-2 . Patients receiving such low dosages do
- not require hospital admission, and can sometimes continue working part time.
- • Antitumor antibodies—polyclonal or monoclonal—can cause an allergic reaction varying from a mild skin rash,
- coughing and wheezing to an acute and severe reaction called anaphylaxis. With a full-blown anaphylactic
- reaction, blood pressure drops, various parts of the body swell, a severe skin rash breaks out and breathing can
- become difficult. This reaction can be fatal unless it is treated promptly with epinephrine and corticosteroids.
- The possibility of allergic reactions to antibodies (or to any foreign substance) increases markedly with
- every additional injection, because eventually you become immunized against the foreign molecules. Your
- immune system will rapidly destroy these molecules, with the allergic reaction being a sign of your immune
- cells' increased activity.
- • The side effects of antibodies vary with their target. An antibody aimed at a colon antigen may cause diarrhea.
- One directed against white blood cells will cause low white blood cell counts.
