Help or harm? Can we predict the effect of ICI cancer therapy?

In 10 seconds? New research suggests that certain tests could determine if Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICIs) will have unwanted side effects on individual cancer patients.

Why is that a big deal? ICIs have revolutionized cancer treatment in the last decade. However, they are known to cause harmful autoimmune side effects in some patients. So, we are still trying to determine which patients could benefit from these therapies and which patients should avoid them. One study has found that certain biological features (AKA biomarkers) are present in patients who are likely to develop adverse effects.