Open AccessPulmonary adverse events due to immune checkpoint inhibitors: A literature review
Author(s) -
Vasiliki Georgakopoulou,
Nikolaos Garmpis,
Dimitrios Mermigkis,
Christos Damaskos,
Serafeim Chlapoutakis,
Konstantinos Mantzouranis,
Aikaterini Gkoufa,
C. Papageorgiou,
Anna Garmpi,
Sotiria Makrodimitri,
Evangelos Diamantis,
Pagona Sklapani,
Νικόλαος Τράκας,
Xanthi Tsiafaki
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
monaldi archives for chest disease. pulmonary series/monaldi archives for chest disease/monaldi archives for chest disease. cardiac series
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2465-101X
pISSN - 1122-0643
DOI - 10.4081/monaldi.2021.2008
Subject(s) - medicine , immune system , immunotherapy , adverse effect , vasculitis , lung cancer , immunology , pneumonitis , cancer , myositis , disease , lung , pathology
Cancer immunotherapy aims to stimulate the immune system to fight against tumors, utilizing the presentation of molecules on the surface of the malignant cells that can be recognized by the antibodies of the immune system. Immune checkpoint inhibitors, a type of cancer immunotherapy, are broadly used in different types of cancer, improving patients’ survival and quality of life. However, treatment with these agents causes immune-related toxicities affecting many organs. The most frequent pulmonary adverse event is pneumonitis representing a non-infective inflammation localized to the interstitium and alveoli. Other lung toxicities include airway disease, pulmonary vasculitis, sarcoid-like reactions, infections, pleural effusions, pulmonary nodules, diaphragm myositis and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. This review aims to summarize these pulmonary adverse events, underlining the significance of an optimal expeditious diagnosis and management.