Endocrine Diseases Related to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors

The advent of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has revolutionized cancer treatment by harnessing the immune system to target and eliminate cancer cells. Agents such as CTLA-4, PD-1, and PD-L1 inhibitors have demonstrated significant efficacy in improving patient outcomes. However, their use is also associated with a unique spectrum of immune-related adverse events (irAEs), among which endocrine dysfunctions are increasingly recognized as critical concerns. The incidence of endocrine irAEs, such as thyroiditis, hypophysitis, adrenalitis, and type 1 diabetes, poses challenges in both diagnosis and management.

This Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive overview of current research and clinical practices related to endocrine diseases caused by ICIs. It will highlight emerging trends and novel therapeutic approaches in managing endocrine irAEs, fostering collaboration and discussion among researchers, clinicians, and other stakeholders in oncology and endocrinology.

This Special Issue will feature a collection of articles that highlight various innovative methods and strategies, including:

• Pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and diagnosis of endocrine irAEs: Understanding the mechanisms by which ICIs induce endocrine dysfunction and identifying signs, symptoms, and diagnostic criteria for endocrine irAEs.

• Management strategies: Best practices for treating and managing endocrine disorders induced by ICIs.

• Case studies and clinical trials evaluating combination therapies and different dosing strategies: Ongoing clinical trials investigate combining immune checkpoint inhibitors with other treatment modalities to overcome resistance and improve patient outcomes. Endocrine side effects can occur, requiring careful monitoring and management.

• Innovations in monitoring and prevention: Advances in monitoring techniques and strategies to prevent endocrine irAEs. Research on predictive models that can predict the onset of endocrine irAEs.

• Long-term Outcomes and Patient Quality of Life: Evaluating the impact of endocrine irAEs on long-term health and quality of life.

• Comparative Studies: Comparing irAEs among different classes of ICIs and across various patient populations.

• Novel checkpoint inhibitors: New immune checkpoint inhibitors target different T cell checkpoints or non-T cell pathways, presenting novel treatment options. However, they may also lead to endocrine irAEs. Monitoring endocrine function is crucial in patients receiving these therapies.

• Overcoming tumor microenvironment-mediated resistance: Strategies focusing on modulating the tumor microenvironment aim to overcome T-cell checkpoint inhibitor resistance by targeting immunosuppressive cells or factors within the tumor microenvironment. It remains to be investigated whether these approaches can reduce the incidence of immune-related endocrine diseases by enhancing the selectivity of immune activation.

• Innovative Approaches and Insights: By highlighting innovative approaches, this Special Issue aims to discuss more effective and personalized cancer immunotherapies while addressing the challenges of managing immune-related endocrine diseases.

This Special Issue will serve as an essential resource for understanding the complexities of endocrine diseases associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. By compiling high-quality research and expert reviews, we seek to address the intricate challenges of endocrine irAEs, enhancing clinical practices and improving patient outcomes in this rapidly evolving field. Authors are invited to submit original research articles, reviews, and opinion articles.