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Immune-Related Adverse Events (irAEs): Diagnosis, Management, and Clinical Pearls

  • Melanoma (RJ Sullivan, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

While immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy has improved melanoma patient outcomes, it has also resulted in the rise of unique immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Here, we review and synthesize irAE management recommendations from several oncological societies into a streamlined format to aid in diagnosis and management. We also include clinical pearls highlighting several recent research studies in this field.

Recent Findings

Knowledge of immunotherapy toxicity has continually evolved, and several major oncologic societies have recently released new or updated guidelines.

Summary

Keeping up with the evolving field of immunotherapy and related toxicities is crucial, because ICI use, in combination with other agents, will only continue to increase and likely result in new and different patterns of irAEs. Providing clear and concise references for clinicians will help ensure proper irAE evaluation and management going forward. We present one such reference here, covering management of common and/or serious irAEs.

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References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Internal Medicine, Bartlett, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit St., Boston, MA, 02114, USA

    Eli P. Darnell

  2. Division of Medical Oncology, Bartlett, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit St., Boston, MA, 02114, USA

    Meghan J. Mooradian & Kerry L. Reynolds

  3. Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Meghan J. Mooradian, Melis Yilmaz & Kerry L. Reynolds

  4. Ella Lemelbaum Institute for Immuno-Oncology, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel

    Erez N. Baruch

  5. Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, P.O. Box 39040, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel

    Erez N. Baruch

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  1. Eli P. Darnell
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  2. Meghan J. Mooradian
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  4. Melis Yilmaz
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Correspondence to Kerry L. Reynolds.

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Eli P. Darnell, Meghan J. Mooradian, Erez N. Baruch, Melis Yilmaz, and Kerry L. Reynolds declare they have no conflict of interest.

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Darnell, E.P., Mooradian, M.J., Baruch, E.N. et al. Immune-Related Adverse Events (irAEs): Diagnosis, Management, and Clinical Pearls. Curr Oncol Rep 22, 39 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-020-0897-9

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