Dr. Chaft on Immune-Related AEs in NSCLC

Jamie E. Chaft, MD, thoracic medical oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, discusses immune-related adverse effects (irAEs) in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Understanding when irAEs are likely to occur and how to mediate them could inform when it is safe to restart a patient on immunotherapy, explains Chaft.

Historically, irAEs were thought to be exclusively mediated by T cells, says Chaft. However, it is now understood that although some irAEs are mediated by T cells, others such as thyroiditis are likely mediated by B cells. Some irAEs may also be mediated by cytokine events.

Deciding when to restart a patient on immunotherapy depends on the severity of irAEs, explains Chaft. Additionally, the duration and impact irAEs have on patients varies.