Cutaneous adverse events associated with immune checkpoint blockade: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Dermatological toxicity is the most common immune-related adverse events (irAEs) following immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). A better understanding of this side effect enables early recognition, diagnosis and management in clinical practice. We did a systematic review and meta-analysis of literature published on ClinicalTrials.gov, Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane Library to assess the differences in cutaneous irAEs among ICIs, the effect from dosage and combined treatment on the incidence, and the predictive values for prognosis. A total of 46 eligible RCTs involving 28,569 patients were included. This study indicates that cutaneous irAEs are dose-independent and agent-specific immune reactions with the highest risk observed in CTLA-4 blockade and might not a surrogate prognostic indicator.

Keywords: Cutaneous toxicity; Immune checkpoint inhibitors; Immune-related adverse events; Meta-analysis.