Checkmate: kidney injury associated with targeted cancer immunotherapy

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are a class of drugs that utilizes immunotherapy to target various cancers. Included are the anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1 receptor antibodies. By reprogramming the immune system, these agents provide a therapy that destroys cancer cells. However, this approach runs the risk of allowing pathologic autoimmunity and organ injury to develop. Unsurprisingly, immune-related adverse effects are described including pneumonitis, colitis, and various endocrinopathies. Now added to this list is AKI, primarily due to ATIN.