Utility of bronchoalveolar lavage in checkpoint inhibitor pneumonitis evaluation: a narrative review.

ABSTRACT:

Background and objective

Checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionised cancer treatment over the past few decades; however, their successes in clinical trials and real-world settings have been tempered by immune-related adverse events (IrAEs). Checkpoint inhibitor pneumonitis (CIP), the leading cause of IrAE-related mortality, poses a significant challenge to clinicians due to non-specific clinical features and unpredictable disease trajectory. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is a diagnostic procedure that offers insight into the immune and molecular processes underlying CIP. This review presents the current role and application of BAL in the evaluation of CIP, explores current literature, and discusses how recent advances in research and technology may shape future approaches to its diag

SUBMITTER: Shivakumar S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12605103 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature