Clinical diagnosis and treatment of immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated pneumonitis

Abstract

The increasing use of immune checkpoint inhibitors in tumors has brought new hope of survival to patients with advanced tumors. However, the immune system activated by immune checkpoint inhibitors, mainly activated T-cells, can attack normal tissues and organs in the body and lead to a variety of adverse effects. In the lung, these attacks can induce checkpoint inhibitor pneumonitis (CIP). CIP is different from known pulmonary interstitial pneumonitis, and has the potential to be fatal if not treated correctly. In this review, we summarize the characteristics of CIP and provide advice on how to manage this disease.

Keywords: Checkpoint inhibitor pneumonitis; immune checkpoint inhibitor; immune checkpoint inhibitor-related adverse effects; immunotherapy-related toxicity.