How Over-the-Counter Drugs Affect Cancer Immunotherapy

The below is a summary of a story that originally appeared on the Duke Health News website. Immunotherapy has transformed cancer care by helping the immune system recognize and destroy tumors. But new research from Duke Health suggests that common medications patients often take to manage pain, inflammation or treatment side effects may alter how well immunotherapy works. "Adding or subtracting a medication from a patient's list could mean the difference between cure or not," said Dr. Nicholas DeVito , assistant professor of medical oncology at Duke University School of Medicine and lead author of the commentary synthesizing more than 50 studies on the topic. The review found evidence that commonly used drugs - including proton pump inhibitors for acid reflux - may reduce the effectiveness of immunotherapy or increase side effects. Other medications, including antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), may enhance immune responses to cancer treatment. The researchers emphasize that patients should not stop taking medications without consulting their care team. Instead, the findings highlight the need for more careful tracking of both prescription and over-the-counter drug use in cancer care and clinical trials. The team calls for prospective studies to better understand these interactions and recommends practical steps such as improved patient education and electronic health record prompts to help clinicians account for medication use during treatment.