2
Key Points
➤ Immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of many different
types of cancers.
➤ Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICPi) targeting cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-
associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4), programmed cell death-1 (PD-1), and
PD ligand 1 (PD-L1) work by preventing the receptors and ligands
from binding to each other, thereby disrupting signaling so that
T-cells can recognize and attack cancer cells. They are currently
the standard of care in the treatment of several cancers, including a
variety of solid-organ and hematological malignancies.
➤ The use of ICPis is rising exponentially, with approximately 40%
of patients with cancer in the United States in 2019 eligible for
treatment with ICPis.
➤ Immune checkpoint blockade therapy is associated with a spectrum of
side effects that is quite different from other systemic therapies such
as cytotoxic chemotherapy.
• Moderate to severe immune-related adverse events (irAEs) may be associated with
life-threatening declines in organ function and quality of life, and fatal outcomes
have been reported.
