Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: efficacy, safety, and biomarkers - a systematic review - Summary - MDSpire

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: efficacy, safety, and biomarkers - a systematic review

  • By

  • Hebatalla Ismail

  • Anees Hassan

  • May 20, 2026

  • 0 min

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Objective:

To assess the safety and efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) based on randomized controlled trials and cohort studies specifically related to ICIs.

Key Findings:
  • ICIs improve progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) across multiple cancer types, including melanoma, lung cancer, and renal cell carcinoma.
  • Toxicity remains a significant concern, with irAEs affecting various organ systems.
  • High tumor mutational burden (TMB) and PD-L1 expression are predictive biomarkers for ICI response.
  • Combination therapies show superior outcomes but increased toxicity compared to monotherapy.
Interpretation:

ICIs represent a significant advancement in cancer treatment, offering durable responses while necessitating careful management of associated toxicities to optimize patient outcomes.

Limitations:
  • The role of biomarkers in predicting irAEs remains investigational, which may limit clinical applicability.
  • The review did not prospectively register in PROSPERO, potentially affecting transparency.
Conclusion:

Future research should focus on refining patient selection, optimizing toxicity management, and identifying novel biomarkers to enhance ICI therapy effectiveness, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

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