Management of immune checkpoint inhibitor-related rheumatic adverse events

Abstract

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), which target the programmed cell death receptor-1 and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 signaling pathways, represent remarkable breakthroughs in cancer treatment and have improved survival among patients with a variety of malignancies. However, the wide use of ICIs is associated with a spectrum of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) that can affect any organ system, and may sometimes be life threatening. Rheumatic irAEs are not an infrequent type of irAE. In this systematic review, we consider the clinical characteristics of rheumatic irAEs, including patients with pre-existing rheumatic diseases, and focus on the management of rheumatic irAEs.