Immunopathological basis of immune-related adverse events induced by immune checkpoint blockade therapy
Terufumi Kubo, Yoshihiko Hirohashi, Tomohide Tsukahara, Takayuki Kanaseki, Kenji Murata, Rena Morita, Toshihiko Torigoe
Abstract
Despite the considerable success of cancer immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors, their nonspecific release of the immunosuppressive mechanism is often associated with immune-related adverse events (irAEs). irAEs significantly disturb patients' quality of life and can even be life-threatening. Therefore, the appropriate management of irAEs is crucial for the development of further reliable cancer immunotherapies. irAEs have the appearance of ordinary autoimmune diseases in one aspect but often have distinct features. Although the detailed pathogenesis of irAEs remains unclear, increasing numbers of studies have provided numerous clues. Here, we review the current knowledge on irAEs, particularly from an immunopathological basis.