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01-12-2020 | Cancer Immunotherapy | Special Article

Cancer immunotherapy–related adverse events: causes and challenges

Authors: Ada G. Blidner, Jennifer Choi, Tim Cooksley, Michael Dougan, Ilya Glezerman, Pamela Ginex, Monica Girotra, Dipti Gupta, Douglas Johnson, Vickie R. Shannon, Maria Suarez-Almazor, Bernardo L. Rapoport, Ronald Anderson

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 12/2020

Abstract

Despite the success and ongoing promise of monoclonal antibody–targeted immune checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy of advanced malignancies, in particular, antibodies directed against CTLA-4 and PD-1/PD-L1, the development of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) remains a constraint of this type of therapy. Although rarely fatal, the occurrence of irAEs may necessitate discontinuation of immunotherapy, as well as administration of corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive therapies that may not only compromise efficacy but also predispose for development of opportunistic infection. Clearly, retention of efficacy of immune checkpoint–targeted therapies with concurrent attenuation of immune-mediated toxicity represents a formidable challenge. In this context, the current brief review examines mechanistic relationships between these events, as well as recent insights into immunopathogenesis, and strategies which may contribute to resolving this issue. These sections are preceded by brief overviews of the discovery and functions of CTLA-4 and PD-1, as well as the chronology of the development of immunotherapeutic monoclonal antibodies which target these immune checkpoint inhibitors.

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Title: Cancer immunotherapy–related adverse events: causes and challenges
Authors: Ada G. Blidner
Jennifer Choi
Tim Cooksley
Michael Dougan
Ilya Glezerman
Pamela Ginex
Monica Girotra
Dipti Gupta
Douglas Johnson
Vickie R. Shannon
Maria Suarez-Almazor
Bernardo L. Rapoport
Ronald Anderson
Publication date: 01-12-2020
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keyword: Cancer Immunotherapy
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 12/2020
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-020-05705-5

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