Neurological Adverse Events Associated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: Diagnosis and Management

Publication

Neurological Adverse Events Associated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: Diagnosis and Management

Journal Paper/Review - Feb 1, 2018

Astaras Christophoros, de Micheli Rita, Moura Bianca, Hundsberger Thomas, Hottinger Andreas F

Citation

Astaras C, de Micheli R, Moura B, Hundsberger T, Hottinger A. Neurological Adverse Events Associated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: Diagnosis and Management. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 2018; 18:3.

Type

Journal Paper/Review (English)

Journal

Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 2018; 18

Publication Date

Feb 1, 2018

Issn Electronic

1534-6293

Brief description/objective

PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Immune checkpoint inhibitors represent a major step forward in the field of oncologic immunotherapy these last years and have significantly increased survival of cancer patients in an ever-growing number of indications. These agents block specific immune checkpoint molecules (programmed cell death protein 1 and its ligand as well as cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4) that normally downregulate the immune response. These new agents show a specific range of adverse effects induced by abnormal immunologic activation.

RECENT FINDINGS
Many different neurologic adverse events have been described, including encephalitis, myelopathy, aseptic meningitis, meningoradiculitis, Guillain-Barré-like syndrome, peripheral neuropathy (including mononeuropathy, mononeuritis multiplex, and polyneuropathy) as well as myasthenic syndrome. Immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown promising results in cancer but can possibly induce autoimmune disorders. Although rare, neurological adverse events require prompt recognition and treatment to avoid substantial morbidity.