Wang L, Zhang SM, Chen XQ. Early identification and multidisciplinary management of immune checkpoint inhibitors associated colitis can improve patient outcomes. World J Gastrointest Surg 2025; 17(1): 99122 [DOI: 10.4240/wjgs.v17.i1.99122]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Xiao-Qian Chen, Attending Doctor, Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Qinghai University, No. 29 Tongren Road, Xining 810000, Qinghai Province, China. cxq925@163.com
Research Domain of This Article
Immunology
Article-Type of This Article
Editorial
Open-Access Policy of This Article
This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
World J Gastrointest Surg. Jan 27, 2025; 17(1): 99122 Published online Jan 27, 2025. doi: 10.4240/wjgs.v17.i1.99122
Early identification and multidisciplinary management of immune checkpoint inhibitors associated colitis can improve patient outcomes
Liang Wang, Sheng-Mei Zhang, Xiao-Qian Chen
Liang Wang, Xiao-Qian Chen, Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Qinghai University, Xining 810000, Qinghai Province, China
Sheng-Mei Zhang, Department of Anorectal Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Qinghai University, Xining 810000, Qinghai Province, China
Co-first authors: Liang Wang and Sheng-Mei Zhang.
Author contributions: Wang L reviewed and interpreted the literature, revised and reviewed the manuscript; Wang L and Zhang SM co-wrote the manuscript and sharing the first authorship; Wang L and Chen XQ have contributed equally to this work; Chen XQ contributed to the editorial concept and design; all authors have read and approved the final manuscript.
Supported by 2021 Key Topic of Qinghai Provincial Health System–Guiding Plan Topic, No. 2021-WJZDX-43.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All authors declare no conflict of interest in publishing the manuscript.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Xiao-Qian Chen, Attending Doctor, Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Qinghai University, No. 29 Tongren Road, Xining 810000, Qinghai Province, China. cxq925@163.com
Received: July 14, 2024 Revised: November 9, 2024 Accepted: November 26, 2024 Published online: January 27, 2025 Processing time: 166 Days and 3.4 Hours
Abstract
Currently, the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has shown notable clinical efficacy in treating various malignant tumors, significantly improving patient prognosis. However, while ICIs enhance the body’s anti-tumor effects, they can also trigger immune-related adverse events (irAEs), with ICI-associated colitis being one of the more prevalent forms. This condition can disrupt treatment, necessitate drug discontinuation, and adversely affect therapeutic outcomes. In severe cases, irAEs may even become life-threatening. A recent case report by Hong et al highlights the importance of vigilance for ICI-associated colitis in patients experiencing symptoms such as diarrhea and abdominal pain, which can arise both during and even after completion of ICI treatment. Early identification, multidisciplinary management, and continuous monitoring of patients are essential steps to further improve outcomes.
Core Tip: The application of various immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in treating various malignant tumors has yielded remarkable clinical efficacy, significantly improving patient prognosis. However, while ICIs strengthen anti-tumor immunity, they can also induce autoimmune damage and immune-related adverse events (irAEs), with ICI-associated colitis being relatively common. This condition may lead to treatment interruptions, drug discontinuation, and reduced treatment efficacy. Severe irAEs can even be life-threatening. Thus, vigilance for ICI-associated colitis is essential when patients exhibit symptoms like diarrhea and abdominal pain during or after ICI treatment. Early identification, multidisciplinary management, and continuous monitoring are critical to improving patient outcomes.
