Work

Distinguishing between help and harm: Helper T cell subsets and immune-related adverse events

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: The precise conditions by which cytokines drive cancer is relevant to improving immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) responses while decreasing toxicity. In this issue of the JCI, Kao et al. investigated T helper cell pathways in patients with solid tumors receiving ICI. The authors evaluated T cell populations, cytokine signatures, immune related adverse events (irAEs), and survival outcomes. Patients with a history of autoimmune disorders were more likely to develop irAEs. Notably, blood samples from patients on treatment showed that elevations in IL-5, IL-6, IL-17f, and TNF-α were associated with an increased risk for grade 2 or higher irAEs. Moreover, IL-6 was associated with decreased objective response rate and worse cancer-specific and all-cause mortality. These findings may help guide decisions for optimizing ICI efficacy while minimizing toxicity and suggest that IL-6 blockade may improve response and decrease toxicity in solid tumors.

Source: Journal of Clinical Investigation

DOI: 10.1172/jci184310

Authors: Alexandra M. Haugh, Adil I. Daud

Institutions: Massachusetts General Hospital, University of California, San Francisco, University of California San Francisco Medical Center

Language: English

Topic: Cancer Immunotherapy and Biomarkers

Subfield: Oncology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $5,200