Management of toxicities associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors

Karen M Yun1, Lyudmila Bazhenova1

  • 1Division of Hematology-Oncology, Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health, La Jolla, California.

Immune-related adverse events (irAEs) encompass a diverse range of toxicities following treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), each with distinctive symptoms, severities, and outcomes. irAEs can affect any organ and are potentially fatal, so early diagnosis is key in preventing serious events. irAEs can be fulminant, requiring immediate attention and intervention. Management of irAEs involves the use of systemic corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents in addition to any disease-specific therapeutics. Making the decision to rechallenge with ICIs is not always clear and involves weighing the risks and clinical benefits of continuing ICI therapy. Here, we review the consensus recommendations on managing irAEs and discuss current challenges in clinical care caused by these toxicities.

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