Immune-related adverse events in cancer immunotherapy

Special Collection Editor: Dr Stephanie Dougan, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, USA

Immunotherapy for cancer has made significant progress in changing outcomes for oncology patients. However, use of these agents has been confounded by significant toxicities associated with immunologic activation. These toxicities can manifest in any organ, although barrier sites and endocrine organs tend to be more commonly affected. Rare, but life threatening, toxicities of the heart and central nervous system are of significant concern. Steroids remain as first-line therapy for many serious immune-related adverse events (irAEs), although whether steroids allow for preservation of the anti-tumour immune response is unclear. As the management of these irAEs increasingly involves both oncology and subspecialties, it is now appreciated that there are some significant similarities and differences between checkpoint-blockade-induced toxicities and some immunological symptoms seen in autoimmune diseases. This has implications for clinical management and the understanding of the pathophysiology of irAEs and autoimmunity.

This special collections features research and reviews covering many aspects of negative immune responses to cancer therapies, including adverse reactions like skeletal myopathies, psoriasis, as well as preventative measures and management options.