A Review of Immune Checkpoint Blockade for the General Surgeon
Xavier L Baldwin1, Philip M Spanheimer1, Stephanie Downs-Canner2
1Department of Surgery, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
The Journal of Surgical Research
|October 13, 2022
Summary
Immunotherapy using checkpoint inhibitors revolutionizes cancer treatment by harnessing CD8+ T cells. Increased use reveals unique toxicities impacting surgical planning.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- The immune system protects against pathogens.
- CD8+ T cells are crucial for anti-tumor immunity.
- Checkpoint molecules can inhibit T cell anti-tumor activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- Review FDA-approved immunotherapy checkpoint inhibitors.
- Discuss immunotherapy-related toxicities.
- Analyze the impact of immunotherapy on surgical planning.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of immunotherapy agents.
- Analysis of FDA-approved indications.
- Synthesis of data on immunotherapy toxicities and surgical implications.
Main Results:
- Checkpoint inhibitors have transformed cancer therapy.
- Expanding indications for immunotherapy are noted.
- Immunotherapy-specific toxicities are increasingly recognized.
Conclusions:
- Immunotherapy offers significant anti-cancer benefits.
- Understanding and managing immunotherapy toxicities is critical.
- Pre-operative assessment for immunotherapy patients requires careful consideration of potential surgical impacts.
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