Checkpoint immunotherapy for cancer: superior survival, unaccustomed toxicities

摘要: Novel cancer immunotherapy antibodies are moving from clinical trials into routine practice, delivering sustained benefits and prolonged survival to patients with melanoma, lung, kidney other cancers. These immunostimulatory non-specifically activate the patient's own immune system by inhibiting checkpoint proteins. This mechanism of action is entirely different traditional treatments, such as chemotherapy. While there virtually no immediate toxicities, serious life-threatening autoimmune side-effects colitis, dermatitis, hypophysitis, pneumonitis hepatitis can occur, sometimes starting long after treatment has been given. Recognition, referral prompt immunosuppressive drugs like corticosteroids control these immune-related without compromising efficacy. exciting new class defining a paradigm in therapy.