A retrospective study on immune-related pneumonitis in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer undergoing treatment with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors

Background Lung cancer patients undergoing treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are at risk of developing immune-related (ir-)pneumonitis. Since lung cancer patients have competing reasons for respiratory symptoms, this poses a diagnostic challenge. This study aimed to explore diagnosis and management of ir-pneumonitis in this patient group. Materials and Methods Suspected ir-pneumonitis was frequent in this group of patients. The cohort was characterized by high heterogeneity and lack of unequivocal diagnostic conclusions. Treatment of ir-pneumonitis was longer than recommended and involvement of pulmonologist was very infrequent. The result of this study reflects the difficulties in a daily clinical setting to diagnose and manage patients with lung cancer presenting with pulmonary symptoms. Results Suspected ir-pneumonitis was frequent in this group of patients. The cohort was characterized by high heterogeneity and lack of unequivocal diagnostic conclusions. Treatment of ir-pneumonitis was longer than recommended and involvement of pulmonologist was very infrequent. The result of this study reflects the difficulties in a daily clinical setting to diagnose and manage patients with lung cancer presenting with pulmonary symptoms.

Automated summary

This study aimed to explore the diagnosis and management of immune-related (ir-)pneumonitis in lung cancer patients undergoing treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Suspected ir-pneumonitis was frequent in this patient group, but diagnostic conclusions were often uncertain and treatment duration exceeded recommendations. Furthermore, pulmonologist involvement was rare. The study highlights the challenges in diagnosing and managing lung cancer patients presenting with pulmonary symptoms in daily clinical practice.