Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICPi) represent a major breakthrough in the treatment and prognosis of many cancers, particularly of malignant melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer; however, the high tumor response rates with ICPi are also frequently associated with autoimmune side effects, so-called immune-related adverse events (irAEs), which can involve virtually any organ system and mirror classical autoimmune diseases. Recent studies revealed that around 5-20% of patients treated with ICPi experience rheumatic irAEs covering the full spectrum of inflammatory rheumatic diseases. This article summarizes the state of the art of knowledge with respect to diagnostics and management of this newly recognized disease entity in rheumatology.
Keywords: Autoimmune diseases; Autoimmune side effects; Immune checkpoint inhibitors; Immunotherapy side effects; Malignancy.