Updates on the Management of Immunotherapy-Related Toxicities

Abstract

With the increased use of immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) comes an increase in the number of patients being treated for immune-related adverse events (irAEs). At the NCCN 2023 Annual Conference, presenters discussed 3 different types of irAEs, namely immune-mediated pneumonitis, major adverse cardiac events including myocarditis and myositis/myasthenia gravis overlap syndrome, and oral toxicities including mucositis and sicca syndrome. They emphasized the importance of considering comorbidities and infectious causes when treating immune pneumonitis. In the context of cardiac events during ICI therapy, the presentation highlighted the need for early detection and vigilance in recognizing insidious, nonspecific symptoms, particularly in cases involving myocarditis with myositis/myasthenia gravis overlap syndrome. Finally, the increasing recognition of oral toxicities was discussed, in addition to the importance of timely intervention to prevent long-term morbidity.