Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have shown significant benefit in cancer patients, but are associated with immune-related adverse events (irAEs), that can affect the gastrointestinal tract resulting in diarrhea and colitis. IrAEs range from mild self-limiting to severe life-threatening disease, which potentially limit the use of these medications. Diagnosis of ICI-induced colitis is based on clinical symptoms, physical examination, stool tests, endoscopic evaluation, and/or imaging. Current management strategy is mainly anti-diarrheal agents for mild symptoms, and immunosuppressants (e.g., corticosteroids, and infliximab or vedolizumab) for more severe cases.
Keywords: Colitis; Corticosteroids; Diarrhea; Immune checkpoint inhibitors; Immunotherapy; Infliximab; Steroids.