Chinese expert consensus on diagnosis and treatment of neurologic immune-related adverse events associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (2022 edition)

Abstract

Neurologic immune-related adverse events (NAEs) are rare complications of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). NAEs can affect the central nervous system, peripheral nervous system and neuroendocrine system, they can lead to death and serious dysfunction. NAEs requires standardized diagnosis, treatment and clinicians' high attention. The diagnosis of NAEs is very challenging due to its complexity, diversity and some non-specific clinical manifestations. It needs to be carefully distinguished from neurological dysfunction caused by other diseases such as tumor, infection, metabolism and iatrogenic (non-immune mediated) complications. Therefore, Committee of Neoplastic Supportive-Care of China Anti-Cancer Association and Cancer Clinical Chemotherapy Committee of China Anti-Cancer Association organized experts to conduct literature analysis and evidence level discussion on the clinical key issues related to NAEs, including the epidemiology, pathogenesis, risk factors, general principles of diagnosis and treatment, clinical manifestations and diagnosis and treatment strategies of specific types of NAEs, and the principles of ICI rechallenge after NAEs. Based on the latest clinical evidence and combined with China's clinical practice, the expert committee finally formulated a Chinese expert consensus on diagnosis and treatment of nAEs (2022 edition) for the prevention, diagnosis, comprehensive treatment and follow-up of NAEs.