Management of Immune-Related Cutaneous Adverse Reactions to PD-1 and PD-L1 Inhibitors for the Inpatient Dermatologist

Programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) and programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors are immunotherapeutic agents associated with a range of auto-inflammatory cutaneous toxicities. This paper reviews the clinical approach to the diagnosis and management of immune-related cutaneous adverse events (irCAEs) to PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors, with emphasis on disease processes practitioners may encounter in hospitalized patients. Non-steroidal immunomodulatory agents are being increasingly utilized for moderate to severe cutaneous reactions and present an opportunity for further research into safe and effective therapies.