Immunotherapy for DLBCL

Medically reviewed by: Carla Casulo, MD

Last Updated: August 2026

Immunotherapy uses the body’s natural defenses (the immune system) to find, attack, and kill cancer cells.  

There are different types of immunotherapy treatments for DLBCL. These are the drugs that are used most often. New treatments become available all the time, so this may not be a complete list.  

Please note: The side effects listed here do not represent a comprehensive list. Each immunotherapy drug has its own set of side effects and ways of working. It's important to discuss all potential side effects with your healthcare team. Be sure to tell them about any side effects you have.  

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All Available Treatments

IV (through a vein) =      Pill =

Treatment Type

Monoclonal antibody therapy (mAbs)

Drug Names
(Tafasitamab-cxix) Monjuvi® (IV)
(Rituximab) Rituxan® (IV)
(Rituximab and Hyaluronidase Human) Rituxan Hycela® (IV)
Potential Severe Side Effects
Infections
Potential Side Effects
Nausea/vomiting Weight/appetite changes Fatigue/weakness Fever Diarrhea Constipation Swelling Muscle pain Body Pain Skin/nail changes Mouth sores Low blood counts
Important Things to Know
  • This drug can cause a reaction in some people, while it’s being given or within a few hours afterward. These reactions can sometimes be severe.  
  • Low blood counts may put you at risk for anemia, infection, bleeding, or bruising. 
  • Monoclonal antibody therapy (mAbs): mAbs are proteins made in a lab that act like the body’s natural immune system antibodies. They attach to specific cancer cells and help destroy them.  

Treatment Type

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs)

Drug Names
(Loncastuximab tesirine) Zynlonta® (IV)
(Brentuximab vedotin) Adcetris® (IV)
(Polatuzumab vedotin) Polivy® (IV)
Potential Severe Side Effects
Liver problems Lung problems Infections Fluid Retention
Potential Side Effects
Nausea/vomiting Fatigue/weakness Diarrhea Constipation Muscle pain Fluid Retention Numbness/tingling in the hands or feet Mouth sores Skin/nail changes Low blood counts
Important Things to Know
  • Fluid retention and capillary leak syndrome (CLS): is a dangerous fluid build-up in the body (around the lungs or heart).
  • Low blood counts may put you at risk for anemia, infection, bleeding, or bruising. 
  • Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs): An ADC is a monoclonal antibody connected to a chemotherapy drug. The antibody finds the cancer cell, attaches to it, and delivers the chemo directly to the cancer. 

Treatment Type

T‑cell engagers (TCEs)

Drug Names
(Epcoritamab) Epkinly® (IV)
(Glofitamab) Columvi® (IV)
Potential Severe Side Effects
Infections Cytokine Release Syndrome Neurological problems
Potential Side Effects
Fever Low blood counts Fatigue/weakness Muscle pain Bone pain Low blood counts
Important Things to Know
  • Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) is an immune reaction. It can cause fever, chills, fast heartbeat, and trouble breathing.
  • Neurological problems: symptoms may include confusion, tremors, trouble speaking, sleepiness, and seizures.
  • This drug can cause a reaction in some people, while it’s being given or within a few hours afterward. These reactions can sometimes be severe.  
  • Low blood counts may put you at risk for anemia, infection, bleeding, or bruising. 
  • T‑cell engagers (TCEs): These are bispecific antibodies. TCEs help your immune system find and attack lymphoma cells. Once in the body, one part of the antibody attaches to the T-cells (a type of immune cell). Another part attaches to the lymphoma cell. This brings the two cells together, which helps the immune system see and destroy the lymphoma cells. 

Treatment Type

CAR T-cell Therapy for DLBCL

Drug Names
(Axicabtagene Ciloleucel) Yescarta® (IV)
(Tisagenlecleucel) Kymriah® (IV)
(Brexucabtagene Autoleucel) Tecartus® (IV)
(Lisocabtagene Maraleucel) Breyanzi® (IV)
Potential Severe Side Effects
Infections Cytokine Release Syndrome Neurological problems Secondary cancer
Potential Side Effects
Fatigue/weakness Diarrhea Constipation Muscle pain Bone pain Fever Swelling Low blood counts
Important Things to Know
  • CAR T‑cell therapy can cause serious or even life‑threatening side effects, so it must be given at a medical center specially trained to use this treatment.
  • Because of these risks, patients are told not to drive, use heavy machines, or do anything dangerous for at least 8 weeks after treatment.
  • The cancer care team will watch the patient closely for several weeks after they receive the CAR T-cells. It’s very important to tell them about any side effects right away, as there are often medicines that can help treat them.
  • Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) is an immune reaction. It can cause fever, chills, fast heartbeat, and trouble breathing.
  • Neurological problems: confusion, tremors, trouble speaking, sleepiness, and seizures
  • Low blood counts may put you at risk for anemia, infection, bleeding, or bruising. 
  • CAR T-cell Therapy for DLBCL: In CAR T-cell therapy (also known as cellular therapy), a lab-made protein called chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), is added to the patient’s own T-cells. T-cells are a type of white blood cell found in the body. The CAR protein helps T-cells recognize the cancer cells to be killed.