Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Related Pneumonitis
Georgia Gomatou, Vasilios Tzilas, Ηλίας Κοττέας, Konstantinos Syrigos, Demosthenes Bouros
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors are novel agents that have been proved efficacious in a variety of cancer types, but they are associated with a unique set of organ-specific, immune-related adverse events. Among them, immune-related pneumonitis requires special attention because it is difficult to diagnose and potentially lethal. Accumulating real-world epidemiological data suggest that immune-related pneumonitis is more frequent than previously reported. Its diagnosis requires exclusion of other causes and assessment of radiographic features on high-resolution CT of the chest. Management of immune-related pneumonitis is based on the use of immunosuppressants. Future research should be focused on finding predictive biomarkers for immune-related pneumonitis as well as optimizing its management.