What Is Bispecific Therapy?
Bispecific (BiTE) therapy is a type of cancer treatment that helps your immune system find and attack cancer cells more effectively. It uses a specially designed antibody (a type of protein) that can attach to two different cells at the same time: one side attaches to a cancer cell, and the other side attaches to a T‑cell, a type of immune cell that kills harmful cells.
How Does It Work?
Bispecific therapy acts like a connector. It brings the cancer cell and the immune cell together so the immune cell can recognize and destroy the cancer cell more easily. Cancer cells can sometimes hide from the immune system; this treatment helps “unmask” them.
Why Is This Treatment Used?
Bispecific therapies are used to treat certain cancers. Your care team will discuss whether bispecific therapy is right for your situation.
Possible Side Effects
Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS)
CRS is a condition that happens when your immune system severely reacts to an immunotherapy. It can occur during treatment and can be serious or life-threatening.
It is important to call the office (513)-751-2273 right away if you develop any signs or symptoms of CRS, including:
- Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
- Chills
- Low Blood Pressure- Less than 120/80
- Shortness of Breath or trouble breathing- Pulse Ox <90%
- Increased Heart Rate-resting HR greater than 120
Neurotoxicity
Bispecific therapy can cause neurotoxicity that can be serious or life-threatening. Neurologic problems may happen days or weeks after you receive treatment. Your healthcare provider may refer you to another healthcare provider who specializes in neurologic problems.
It is important to call the office (513)-751-2273 right away if you develop any signs or symptoms of neurotoxicity including:
- Trouble speaking, memory loss or personality changes
- Confusion, not feeling like you’re thinking clearly
- Seizure
- Problems with balance of walking
- Weakness/numbness in arms or legs
- Numbness or Tingling in hands and feet
- Tremors
- Headaches
Home Monitoring
During treatment, you will be required to keep track of your vital signs every four hours while awake once discharged from the hospital.
To take your blood pressure:
- Put the cuff on your wrist and secure it in place. Place your elbow onto the table. Gently place your hand on your chest so that your wrist is at the level of your heart. Relax and stay in this position before starting your BP measurement. Record your blood pressure on your provided log.
To check oxygen saturation:
- Warm your hands if they are cool to the touch. Place the oximeter on the index finger. Keep still for at least one minute. Once the numbers remain steady record in your provided log.
To check your temperature:
- Ensure you have not had anything hot or cold to drink in the last 10 minutes. Place thermometer under the tongue and close lips firmly. Hold for 30 seconds or until the thermometer beeps. Record in your provided log.
