Autoimmune Phenomena in Cancer Patients Treated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors

The novel discovery and approved therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for a variety of cancers has changed dramatically the morbidity and mortality rates for these patients. In spite of the obvious benefits, ICIs therapy is associated with unique immune-related adverse effects (irAEs), such as inflammatory arthritis, myositis, vasculitis, and sicca syndrome. The emergence of ICIs-induced autoimmune irAEs requires a different approach to the documentation and management of these conditions, which may vary from the traditional approach to rheumatologic diseases. ICIs therapy in patients with preexisting autoimmune diseases is possible but may cause disease exacerbation and flares. In this chapter, we present the autoimmune irAEs, as phenomena, but also as classic autoimmune diseases, offering therapy options for the side effects.