Gastrointestinal disorders as immune-related adverse events

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Immunology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are novel anti-cancer drugs.
• ICIs, including cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) inhibitors, programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) inhibitors, and programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors, have demonstrated efficacy in advanced cancers.
• These therapies have led to improved survival rates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the emergence and impact of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) associated with immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy.
• To discuss the common organs affected by irAEs and their clinical presentation.
• To emphasize the challenges in managing irAEs and the need for multidisciplinary collaboration.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on immune checkpoint inhibitors and their associated adverse events.
• Analysis of the spectrum of irAEs, focusing on gastrointestinal manifestations.
• Discussion of clinical management strategies for irAEs.

Main Results:

• Immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown significant benefits in cancer treatment, increasing survival rates.
• Immune-related adverse events (irAEs) are common and can affect various organs, including skin, lungs, endocrine glands, and the gastrointestinal tract.
• While often mild, irAEs can be severe, potentially leading to treatment discontinuation.

Conclusions:

• Immune checkpoint inhibitors represent a significant advancement in cancer therapy.
• Immune-related adverse events are a critical consideration in ICI treatment, requiring vigilant monitoring and management.
• Effective management of irAEs necessitates close cooperation between oncologists and gastroenterologists to ensure patient safety and treatment continuity.