Abstract
In the field of immuno-oncology, tremendous progress has been made in recent years with the development of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) that block CTLA-4 and PD-1/PD-L1. These immune receptors are crucial for maintaining self-tolerance and preventing collateral damage due to autoimmunity. This new therapeutic strategy has been a breakthrough that brings about a paradigm shift in the treatment of many types of advanced/unresectable malignancy. Unfortunately, the ICI-induced immune response is non-specific and is associated with immune-related adverse events.In this thesis, Dr. Jeroen M.K. de Filette contributes to the knowledge about the endocrinological side effects of ICI: by providing insight into the incidence of different endocrinopathies and association with various classes of checkpoint inhibitors through a meta-analysis; by a prospective study of thyroid dysfunction in melanoma patients treated with pembrolizumab (anti-PD-1); by a systematic review of autoimmune diabetes mellitus, and by the case report of a patient with a rare ACTH-secreting pituitary carcinoma treated with ICI. The experiences gained resulted in the development of guidelines for the management of the endocrine adverse events related to checkpoint blockade therapy (in collaboration with the Belgian Society of Medical Oncology).
| Date of Award | 3 Feb 2021 |
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| Original language | English |
| Awarding Institution |
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| Supervisor | Bert Bravenboer (Promotor), Brigitte Velkeniers-Hoebanckx (Promotor), Henri J L M Timmers (Jury), Sylvie Rottey (Jury), Christophe De Block (Jury), Joeri Aerts (Jury), Sabine Allard (Jury) & Willem Verpoest (Jury) |
Keywords
- endocrine therapy