The doctors talked about pneumonitis and the difficulties of its treatment

Pneumonitis— an inflammation of the lung tissue that occurs as a complication of immunotherapy, is increasingly common in patients undergoing cancer treatment. This is stated in an article published in the journal Clinical Practice.

"Pneumonitis as a complication of immunotherapy occurs in 3-10% of cases, while mortality can reach 35%," the authors of the study note.

Pneumonitis, which occurs as a side effect of the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors, is an inflammation that can be caused by various factors, including the effects of the immune system on tumor cells. It is important to note that although the incidence of pneumonitis is low, its severe course can lead to fatal outcomes, which is emphasized by the data of the American Thoracic Society.

Immunotherapy using PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors is aimed at blocking the mechanisms that tumor cells use to protect themselves from the immune system. However, this process can lead to autoimmune reactions, including pneumonitis, which affects the lungs and often requires intervention.

The main risk factors for developing pneumonitis are chronic lung diseases such as interstitial lung diseases, smoking, and the combination of immunotherapy with other treatments. Moreover, certain types of cancer, such as renal cell carcinoma, have a higher risk of developing pneumonitis than other types of tumors.

Diagnosis of this disease includes the use of computed tomography to detect seals in the lung tissue, as well as analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage, which helps to exclude infectious diseases. If pneumonitis is diagnosed, therapy should be adjusted to prevent further deterioration of the patient's condition.

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