Ghanbar MI, Suresh K. Pulmonary toxicity of immune checkpoint immunotherapy.
J Clin Invest 2024;
134:e170503. [PMID:
38226621 PMCID:
PMC10786690 DOI:
10.1172/jci170503]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer remains a leading cause of mortality on a global scale. Lung cancer, specifically non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), is a prominent contributor to this burden. The management of NSCLC has advanced substantially in recent years, with immunotherapeutic agents, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), leading to improved patient outcomes. Although generally well tolerated, the administration of ICIs can result in unique side effects known as immune-related adverse events (irAEs). The occurrence of irAEs involving the lungs, specifically checkpoint inhibitor pneumonitis (CIP), can have a profound effect on both future therapy options and overall survival. Despite CIP being one of the more common serious irAEs, limited treatment options are currently available, in part due to a lack of understanding of the underlying mechanisms involved in its development. In this Review, we aim to provide an overview of the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of CIP, followed by an examination of the emerging literature on the pathobiology of this condition.
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