Immune-related adverse events in immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy for cancer

Katie Liao1, Emily Martin1, Amy Body2,3

  • 1Department of Rheumatology, Monash Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

PubMed

Immunotherapy has changed the oncology landscape over the last decade. However, as survival rates for cancer improve, a new class of treatment complications, immune-related adverse events (irAEs), has emerged, affecting up to 71.5% of patients. These events result in significant morbidity, with mortality rates ranging from 0.36% to 1.23%; they lead to permanent discontinuation of cancer treatment in 10%-20% of patients receiving checkpoint monotherapy or combination therapy. Despite their substantial impact, there remains a paucity of evidence regarding identification and optimal management, with current treatment guidelines based on case reports and expert consensus. This review article aims to summarise the current literature on incidence, pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of irAEs, with a focus on rheumatic manifestations.

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