Abstract:
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) targeting cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) and programmed cell death 1/programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) have been established as standard therapies for many malignancies. Immune-related adverse events (irAEs) caused by ICIs can occur in any organ or tissue in the body. Although symptoms are ordinarily mild, they can result in serious or even fatal outcomes if are not monitored and treated rapidly. Diarrhea and colitis caused by ICIs are the most common irAEs leading to discontinuation of ICIs. Timely prevention and management of immune-related colitis are required to ensure that cancer patients can benefit from immunotherapy. This article reviews the epidemiology, diagnosis, clinical management, and research progress of ICI-associated colitis, providing a reference for clinicians to aid the timely identification and treatment of this condition.