Dostarlimab is an immunotherapy medicine. You receive it as an IV infusion at a clinic or infusion center.
Brand Name(s)
- US: Jemperli
- Canada: Jemperli
Warning(s)
This drug helps your immune system attack cancer, but it can also cause your immune system to attack healthy organs. These problems can happen during treatment or even after it ends.
- Tell all your health care providers that you take this drug, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
- Tell your care team about all prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and herbs you use. Do not start or stop any medicine without checking first.
- Your doctor will check blood and other labs to watch for side effects.
- Serious organ problems can happen, including in the lungs, bowels, liver, kidneys, pancreas, thyroid, pituitary, adrenal glands, nerves, muscles, and skin. Some cases have been fatal. Report new or worsening symptoms right away.
- Infusion reactions can occur during or after treatment. Tell your nurse immediately if you have fever, chills, rash, itching, flushing, shortness of breath, wheezing, dizziness or fainting, back pain, or neck pain.
- Severe skin reactions (including Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis) are rare but serious. Get help right away for red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; sores on the mouth, eyes, or genitals; red or irritated eyes; fever; chills; body aches; or swollen glands.
- High blood sugar can happen. Your team may check your blood sugar. Report confusion, extreme thirst, frequent urination, fast breathing, or breath that smells fruity.
- If you have had an organ transplant (including a cornea transplant) or an allogeneic stem cell transplant, tell your doctor. Rejection or serious transplant problems can occur.
- Do not use if you are allergic to this drug or its ingredients.
- Pregnancy: This drug may harm an unborn baby. You will need a pregnancy test before starting. Use birth control while on treatment and for 4 months after the last dose. If you become pregnant, call your doctor right away.
- Breastfeeding: Do not breast-feed during treatment and for 4 months after the last dose.
Call your doctor or get medical help right away if you have:
- Signs of an allergic reaction: rash, hives, itching, swelling of the face or throat, wheezing, or trouble breathing.
- Lung symptoms: cough, shortness of breath, or fever.
- Bowel symptoms: severe stomach pain, blood or mucus in stools, black or tarry stools, severe diarrhea, throwing up blood, or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
- Pancreas symptoms: severe stomach or back pain, severe nausea or vomiting.
- Urinary symptoms: burning with urination, blood in urine, fever, lower belly or pelvic pain, or needing to urinate often.
- Liver symptoms: dark urine, yellow skin or eyes, severe tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, or light-colored stools.
- Kidney symptoms: very little or no urine, blood in urine, big weight gain, or swelling of ankles.
- Hormone gland symptoms: severe or long-lasting headache, dizziness, fainting, feeling very tired, feeling cold, hair loss, mood changes, fast heartbeat, more sweating, changes in weight or thirst, or urinating more often.
- Brain symptoms: confusion, memory problems, seizures, stiff neck, fever, muscle weakness, balance problems, or severe nausea and vomiting.
- Electrolyte problems: muscle cramps or spasms, weakness, shaking, confusion, seizures, or irregular heartbeat.
- Chest pain, pressure, fast or abnormal heartbeat, or coughing up blood.
- Severe muscle pain or weakness; numbness, tingling, or burning that is new or worsening.
- Fever, chills, sore throat, easy bruising or bleeding, or feeling very weak.
- Eye symptoms: eye pain, changes in eyesight, or severe eye irritation.
- Genital sores or tender lumps on the skin.
- Dizziness, fainting, or heavy sweating.
Kind of Cancers It Is Used For (not a complete list)
- Endometrial cancer that has come back or spread. It may be used alone or with other cancer drugs, depending on your situation.
- Certain solid tumors that are mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) or microsatellite instability–high (MSI-H) and have grown or spread after previous treatment, when there are no good alternative options.
Your care team may test your tumor to see if it is dMMR or MSI-H.
Mechanism of Action
Dostarlimab is a monoclonal antibody that blocks PD-1, an immune checkpoint. Blocking PD-1 “releases the brakes” on T cells so they can better find and attack cancer cells.
Because it boosts your immune system, it can also inflame normal organs. This is why close monitoring and quick reporting of symptoms are important.
Common Side Effects
- Tiredness or weakness
- Muscle pain
- Dry skin or mild rash
- Decreased appetite
- Diarrhea
Most side effects are manageable. Tell your care team if symptoms are bothersome, do not go away, or feel severe.
Last reviewed: 2025-12-04
