Will it be possible to find predictive genetic markers of immune checkpoint inhibitor toxicity that are not also predictive of survival?

A durable response to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy is observed in 20–30% of patients, however, approximately 10–55% experience one or more grade 3+ immune related adverse events, depending upon whether they were treated with single-agent or combination checkpoint blockade therapy. In 2022, the first genome-wide association study of immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced immune related adverse events was published. We could now begin to predict which patients will experience serious immune-related adverse events requiring urgent treatment with immunosuppressive agents. There is a growing body of evidence that those who experience immune related adverse events have a better treatment response and survival outcome. This Commentary article reviews the evidence for the link between immune related adverse events induced by immune checkpoint inhibitors and efficacy. It summarizes the evidence for the interleukin-7 single nucleotide polymorphism, the first genome-wide significant biomarker of immune-related adverse effects.

Please enter your email to access content Read now