Work

Tape Strip Profiling of Checkpoint Inhibitor–Associated Dermatitis Highlights Pan-T-Cell Activation: A Pilot Study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have become mainstay therapy in the treatment of certain cancers. However, they are frequently associated with adverse effects in non-tumor tissues. Cutaneous immune-related adverse events (cirAEs) are the most prevalent toxicities, yet their underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. This pilot study investigated the molecular phenotype of ICI-associated eczematous (ICI-Ecz) and lichenoid (ICI-LP) dermatitis, using minimally invasive tape strip sampling to compare these conditions to atopic dermatitis (AD) patients and healthy controls. Transcriptomic analysis revealed significant Th1 upregulation in lesional ICI-Ecz and ICI-LP, surpassing the dysregulation seen in AD. Th2-related markers, including IL4R , were elevated in both ICI subtypes, aligning with prior clinical reports of dupilumab efficacy for cirAEs. Notably, JAK3 modulation was uniquely observed in lesional ICI-Ecz. Lesional and non-lesional ICI-LP demonstrated broad immune dysregulation, suggesting possible early inflammatory activity in seemingly unaffected skin. These findings highlight distinct immune pathway alterations in cirAEs compared to their ICI-independent counterparts, shedding light on potential therapeutic targets to manage these conditions without compromising ICI efficacy. Future studies in larger cohorts are warranted to validate these observations and evaluate targeted interventions for cirAEs.

Source: JID Innovations

DOI: 10.1016/j.xjidi.2025.100375