Use of glucocorticoids in the management of immunotherapy-related adverse effects

Abstract

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) activate host antitumor immunity to kill tumor cells. However, ICI therapy may be accompanied by a series of immunotherapy-related adverse effects (irAEs) caused by activated autoreactive T cells. Glucocorticoids are the mainstream therapy for irAEs. However, the usage, dosage and course of treatment of irAEs with glucocorticoids differs from those used in classic autoimmune diseases. Furthermore, the long-term use of large doses of glucocorticoids may cause serious adverse effects. In this article, the mechanism, dosage forms, adverse effects and management of glucocorticoids are described in detail, providing references and suggestions for oncologists to use glucocorticoids in the treatment of irAEs.

Keywords: Glucocorticoids; glucocorticosteroids; immune checkpoint inhibitor; immune suppressors; immunotherapy-related adverse effects.