The Role of Tissue Biopsy in the Management of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Toxicity

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Leslie A. Fecher Division of Hematology/Oncology,

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Shrinivas Bishu Division of Gastroenterology, and

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Robert J. Fontana Division of Gastroenterology, and

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Salim S. Hayek Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.

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Bryan J. Schneider Division of Hematology/Oncology,

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Immune checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized the treatment of cancer and are now omnipresent. However, immune-related adverse events can present with varying phenotypes and timing, which can pose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges for the treating oncologist as well as subspecialty consultants. Biopsies of affected organs may provide insight into biologic mechanisms as well as potentially guide management in certain circumstances.

Submitted December 20, 2021; accepted for publication February 23, 2022.

Disclosures: Dr. Fecher has disclosed participating in research for and serving as a principal investigator for Bristol-Myers Squibb, EMD Serono, Array, Pfizer, and Kartos; and serving as a consultant for Elsevier. The remaining authors have disclosed that they have no financial interests, arrangements, affiliations, or commercial interests with the manufacturers of any products discussed in this article or their competitors.

Correspondence: Bryan J. Schneider, MD, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Michigan, C411MIB, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, SPC 5848, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5848. Email: bryansch@med.umich.edu
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