Systemic adverse effects and toxicities associated with immunotherapy: A review

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Immunology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Immunotherapy is emerging as a significant cancer treatment modality, complementing traditional therapies like surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy.
• The development of novel immunotherapeutic agents and their increasing FDA approvals for various cancers highlight their growing importance.
• Immunotherapy's tumor-specific action contributes to its rising popularity in cancer management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review common systemic adverse effects and toxicities of different classes of immunotherapeutic agents.
• To organize potential adverse effects by organ systems for clarity.
• To discuss current treatment recommendations and clinical trial data for managing immunotherapy-induced toxicities.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of immunotherapeutic agents and their associated adverse effects.
• Systematic organization of toxicities by organ system.
• Compilation of current treatment guidelines and relevant clinical trial findings.

Main Results:

• Identified common systemic adverse effects across various immunotherapeutic classes.
• Detailed organ-specific toxicities associated with immunotherapy use.
• Provided an overview of management strategies and clinical data for adverse events.

Conclusions:

• Physicians must be well-versed in the adverse effects of immunotherapeutic agents.
• Familiarity with immunotherapy toxicities is crucial for safe and effective clinical practice.
• This review serves as a resource for understanding and managing immunotherapy-related adverse events.