Editorial: Novel therapies and unexpected challenges: overcoming immune-mediated toxicities in modern oncology

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Source: Frontiers Medicine

Original: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2026.1810214...

Published: 2026-03-13T00:00:00Z

New targeted cell and immunotherapies use the natural immune system to precisely destroy cancer cells, unlike traditional chemotherapy. These therapies enhance T-cell recognition of tumor antigens and prevent tumors from escaping the immune system. They are successful in the treatment of melanoma, breast cancer, lymphoma, renal cell carcinoma, unresectable non-resectable lung cancer, prostate and esophageal cancer. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), such as ipilimumab, nivolumab or pembrolizumab, have specific indications and up to 45% of cancer patients are suitable for this therapy. CAR-T cells target the CD19 receptor, achieve 50-90% remission in relapsed or refractory forms of ALL and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The combination of nivolumab and ipilimumab resulted in a 5-year overall survival of 52% in advanced melanoma. However, these new drugs cause both acute and chronic toxicities, such as enteritis, pneumonitis, hypophysitis, and hepatitis.[1][3]