Oncologic Emergencies: Immune-Based Cancer Therapies and Complications

West J Emerg Med. 2020 Apr 13;21(3):566-580. doi: 10.5811/westjem.2020.1.45898.

Abstract

Cancer therapies have undergone several recent advancements. Current cancer treatments include immune-based therapies comprised of checkpoint inhibitors, and adoptive immunotherapy; each treatment has the potential for complications that differ from chemotherapy and radiation. This review evaluates immune-based therapies and their complications for emergency clinicians. Therapy complications include immune-related adverse events (irAE), cytokine release syndrome (CRS), autoimmune toxicity, and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell-related encephalopathy syndrome (CRES). Immune-related adverse events are most commonly encountered with checkpoint inhibitors and include dermatologic complications, pneumonitis, colitis/diarrhea, hepatitis, and endocrinopathies. Less common irAEs include nephritis, myocardial injury, neurologic toxicity, ocular diseases, and musculoskeletal complications. CRS and CRES are more commonly associated with CAR T-cell therapy. CRS commonly presents with flu-like illness and symptoms resembling sepsis, but severe myocardial and pulmonary disease may occur. Critically ill patients require resuscitation, broad-spectrum antibiotics, and hematology/oncology consultation.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological* / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological* / therapeutic use
  • Emergency Medical Services / methods
  • Humans
  • Immune System Diseases* / chemically induced
  • Immune System Diseases* / etiology
  • Immune System Diseases* / therapy
  • Immunotherapy, Adoptive* / adverse effects
  • Immunotherapy, Adoptive* / methods
  • Medical Oncology / methods
  • Medical Oncology / trends
  • Neoplasms / therapy*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological