Managing toxicities associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors
Jiyeon Joy Park1, Syed Arafath, Samir T Kumar
1Jiyeon Joy Park is a clinical assistant professor and oncology specialist in the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, in East Rutherford, N.J. Syed Arafath is an oncology clinical pharmacy specialist at New York-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center in Jamaica, N.Y. Samir T. Kumar is an internal medicine resident at the State University of New York's Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. Roopali Sharma is a clinical associate professor and infectious disease specialist at Touro College's School of Pharmacy in New York, N.Y. Deepali Dixit is a clinical associate professor in the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy at Rutgers and a clinical pharmacy specialist in critical care at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in Piscataway, N.J. The authors have disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.
Abstract:
Recent development of immunotherapy has led to remarkable advancement in cancer therapy. Drugs that inhibit the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein (CTLA-4) and programmed death-1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint pathways have shown improved patient survival. However, by altering the immune response to fight cancer, a new class of adverse reactions has emerged, known as immune-related adverse events. These adverse events are due to overactivation of the immune system in almost any organ of the body, can occur at any point in a patient's treatment course, and may become life-threatening. This article describes how to promptly recognize and manage these toxicities.
Insights
Immunotherapy advances cancer treatment but can cause immune-related adverse events (irAEs) due to immune system overactivation. Prompt recognition and management of these toxicities are crucial for patient safety.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Immunotherapy, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting CTLA-4 and PD-1 pathways, has significantly improved cancer patient survival.
- These therapies modulate the immune response to combat cancer, leading to a novel class of side effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the recognition and management of immune-related adverse events (irAEs).
- To address the challenges posed by irAEs in cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy.
Main Methods:
- Review of current understanding of irAEs.
- Description of clinical presentation and diagnostic approaches for irAEs.
- Guidance on therapeutic strategies for managing irAEs.
Main Results:
- Immune-related adverse events can affect virtually any organ system.
- irAEs can manifest at any time during cancer immunotherapy treatment.
- These events carry the potential for severe, life-threatening complications.
Conclusions:
- Effective management of irAEs is essential for optimizing cancer immunotherapy outcomes.
- Early identification and intervention are key to mitigating the risks associated with immune-related adverse events.
- Healthcare providers must be vigilant in monitoring patients for irAEs during and after immunotherapy.
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