Understanding Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors for Effective XXXX Care.

@entity5 @entity1 @entity137 @entity320
BACKGROUND: Immune checkpoint inhibitors represent a paradigm change in the treatment of @entity320 and other advanced @entity5 . These agents manipulate key immune-regulating pathways to restore immune responses against @entity5 . The success of this approach is demonstrated by ipilimumab (Yervoy  ) for the treatment of advanced @entity320 , with improvement in three-year survival rates of about 20%. Newer checkpoint inhibitors targeting the programmed death-1 (PD-1) pathway have been approved and may have higher response rates and improved tolerability. OBJECTIVES: This article aims to educate nurses and increase their comfort level with these new therapies. METHODS: The mechanism of action of immune checkpoint inhibitors is reviewed, and insight is provided on how nurses can use this knowledge to more effectively care for @entity1 receiving these therapies. FINDINGS: The use of immuno-oncology agents is increasing. Oncology nurses must understand the basic immune mechanism of action responsible for the novel @entity137 profile characterized by immune-related adverse events (irAEs) and clinical response patterns. Managing irAEs with immune checkpoint inhibitors is not necessarily more difficult than with conventional agents, but a difference does exist. Nurses and other healthcare providers must consider the underlying cause of @entity137 with immune checkpoint inhibitors when making management decisions.
