Immune-related adverse events associated with cancer immunotherapy

Abstract

Immunotherapy has become central to cancer care, whether in combination with traditional chemotherapy, as adjuvant therapy, or as primary therapy, and has been demonstrated to be central to treatment of newly diagnosed or relapsed disease in multiple randomized control trials. Antibody-based immunotherapy initiated the treatment revolution, but now immune effector cellular therapy is rapidly emerging and expanding its indications. Efficacy determinations have led to multiple international regulatory approvals, but unique significant toxicities have also been identified. It remains critical to understand risk factors that predict for adverse events that are encountered after administration of cancer immunotherapy. Similarly, identification of patient-related factors that enhance or diminish therapeutic efficacy, independent of the underlying malignancy, is critical for balancing the benefit and risk of immunotherapy. This review addresses the multiple new cellular therapy initiatives and addresses the importance of appropriate patient selection that will ultimately maximize the treatment benefit.