ABSTRACT
With the research progress on the biology and pathogenesis of cancer, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have come into being, bringing a new hope for the survival of patients with advanced cancer and opening a new era of cancer immunotherapy. However, with the wide application of immunotherapy in clinical practice, ICI-related adverse events (irAEs) have gradually emerged and are widely known by first-line clinicians. ICIs primarily activate T cells that can attack normal tissues and organs in the body and cause a variety of adverse reactions. Checkpoint inhibitor pneumonitis (CIP) is one of the rare complications with poor prognosis in irAEs. This article reviews the therapeutic mechanism of some ICIs; the incidence, risk factors, pathogenesis, and clinical and imaging manifestations of CIP; and the classification and treatment management of CIP.
ABSTRACT
The increasing use of immunocheckpoint inhibitors in tumors has brought new hope of survival to patients with advanced tumors. However, the immune system activated by immunocheckpoint inhibitors, mainly activated T-cell immunity, may attack normal tissues and organs of the human body and lead to a variety of adverse effects. In the lung, they could induce checkpoint inhibitor associated pneumonitis (CIP). CIP is different from known pulmonary interstitial pneumonitis, and had a potentially fatal risk if it was not being properly treated. We will summarize the characteristics of CIP and give our advice on how to manage immunocheckpoint inhibitor associated pneumonitis.