The initial use of immune checkpoint blockade was mainly limited to a fraction of physicians involved in the treatment of malignant melanoma. With the proof of principle and efficacy established in this disease process, these agents were being extensively investigated in other malignancies including lung cancer, renal cell carcinoma, gastric cancer, bladder cancer, ovarian cancer, and hematologic malignancies. Early results from some of these investigations are extremely encouraging and will likely lead to more indications in addition to the approved indications for the treatment of malignant melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and renal cell carcinoma. It is therefore essential that the oncology community is aware of immune-related adverse events (irAEs), to recognize them in a timely fashion and be well-versed with their management. To discuss the specific toxicity profile associated with these agents, we consulted Prof. Dr. Bart Neyns, melanoma specialist at the UZ Brussel, with a vast experience in the use of immune-checkpoint inhibitors.
