Our Therapies

LOQTORZI® Infusion Therapy

autoimmune condition affecting the eyes and surrounding tissues

About LOQTORZI® Infusion Therapy

LOQTORZI® (toripalimab-tpzi) is a biologic medication known as a PD-1 blocking antibody, given as an intravenous (IV) infusion. It works by helping your immune system recognize and attack cancer cells, rather than attacking the cancer directly.

Your dosing schedule depends on how LOQTORZI® is being used. As a first treatment alongside the chemotherapy medicines cisplatin and gemcitabine, it is given as a 240 mg infusion every three weeks, generally for up to 24 months. When given on its own after platinum-containing chemotherapy, it is dosed by body weight at 3 mg/kg every two weeks. Your first infusion runs over at least 60 minutes, and later infusions may be shortened to about 30 minutes if you tolerate the first one well.

Conditions treated by this therapy

LOQTORZI® is FDA-approved for the treatment of adults with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), a cancer that begins in the upper part of the throat behind the nose. Your care team may consider this therapy if you have:

Metastatic or recurrent locally advanced NPC, as a first treatment given in combination with cisplatin and gemcitabine
Recurrent unresectable or metastatic NPC that has progressed during or after a platinum-containing chemotherapy regimen, treated with LOQTORZI® on its own

LOQTORZI® has not been studied in children, and it is not known whether it is safe or effective in patients under 18. Your oncologist will confirm whether LOQTORZI® is right for you, and which regimen fits your diagnosis, before treatment begins.

LOQTORZI® Price

The cost of prescription medications can vary depending on your insurance coverage. If you're concerned about the price of your medication:

Contact your insurance provider to understand your coverage
Ask your doctor or pharmacist about lower-cost alternatives
Check with the drug manufacturer about financial assistance programs
Explore patient assistance options if you're uninsured or underinsured

Remember, many resources exist to help patients access necessary medications. Don't hesitate to ask for help if you're struggling with medication costs. No patient should go without necessary treatment due to financial limitations. If you have questions about financial assistance opportunities, contact a member of our Violet Health team.

What to Expect During LOQTORZI® Infusion Therapy

When you arrive at our Violet Health location, you'll settle into a private, welcoming space designed with your comfort and peace of mind in mind. Before and during your intravenous infusion, our experienced team will:

Review your current health status and any symptoms you've noticed
Check your vital signs and review recent lab work, including thyroid function, before treatment begins
Place your IV using gentle, practiced technique
Administer your LOQTORZI® infusion through a dedicated line, over at least 60 minutes for your first dose and about 30 minutes for later doses if your first infusion goes smoothly
Give LOQTORZI® before your chemotherapy on days when both are scheduled
Monitor you closely for any infusion-related reactions
Protect your privacy and comfort throughout the visit

LOQTORZI® is given either every three weeks or every two weeks, depending on whether it is combined with chemotherapy or used on its own. Your oncologist determines how long you will continue treatment. Plan to be with us for a few hours on chemotherapy days, and for a shorter visit when LOQTORZI® is given by itself.

LOQTORZI® Side Effects

As with any medication, LOQTORZI® may cause side effects. Being informed helps you know what to watch for and when to contact your healthcare team. Common Side Effects:

Fatigue or feeling generally unwell
Low thyroid hormone levels (hypothyroidism)
Muscle and bone pain
Nausea and vomiting
Decreased appetite
Constipation or diarrhea
Rash
Fever
Burning, numbness, or pins and needles in the feet and toes (peripheral neuropathy)
Cough
Upper respiratory infection
Trouble sleeping and dizziness

Side effects tend to be broader when LOQTORZI® is given with cisplatin and gemcitabine. When it is used on its own, the most common effects are fatigue, low thyroid hormone, and muscle and bone pain.

LOQTORZI® can cause your immune system to attack healthy organs and tissues. These immune-mediated reactions can become severe or life-threatening, can affect more than one organ at a time, and may occur during treatment or after it has ended. Please alert our clinical staff or seek medical attention immediately if you experience any of the following:

Lung inflammation (pneumonitis), including new or worsening cough, chest pain, or shortness of breath
Intestinal inflammation (colitis), including diarrhea, stool changes, severe abdominal pain, or blood or mucus in the stool
Liver problems (hepatitis), including yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, severe nausea, or pain on the right side of the abdomen
Hormone gland problems affecting the thyroid, adrenal glands, or pituitary, including headaches, extreme tiredness, weight changes, increased hunger or thirst, dizziness or fainting, constipation, hair loss, or feeling cold
Kidney problems (nephritis), including changes in the amount or color of your urine or swelling in the ankles
Serious skin reactions, including rash, blistering or peeling skin, painful sores or ulcers in the mouth, nose, throat, or genital area, fever or flu-like symptoms, and swollen lymph nodes
Infusion reactions, including chills or shaking, itching or rash, flushing, wheezing, shortness of breath, dizziness, feeling faint, fever, and back or neck pain
Other immune-mediated problems affecting the heart, nerves, eyes, muscles, or pancreas, including irregular or rapid heartbeat, muscle pain or weakness, eye problems, or numbness and tingling

Before treatment, tell your care team if you have an immune system condition such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or lupus, if you have had or plan to have an organ or donor stem cell transplant, if you have received radiation to your chest, or if you have a nervous system condition such as myasthenia gravis or Guillain-Barré syndrome. Complications, including fatal ones, have occurred in patients who received an allogeneic stem cell transplant before or after PD-1 blocking therapy.

Pregnancy warning: LOQTORZI® may harm an unborn baby. Tell your care team if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Use effective birth control during treatment and for four months after your last dose, and do not breastfeed during treatment or for four months after your last dose.

LOQTORZI® Infusion Therapy at Violet Health

Your comfort during LOQTORZI® infusion therapy at Violet Health is our priority. Our patients enjoy walk-up parking, complimentary entertainment and snacks, and a team of highly trained providers during each treatment. Plus, Violet Health's evening and weekend hours and convenient city and rural locations make it easier to schedule your appointments.