Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42553608›Full record

ArticleBMJ neurology open2026

Neurological complications induced by checkpoint inhibitors: characterising the clinical spectra.

Anne Merel van Wylick, Martin van den Bent, Bart C Jacobs, Maarten Titulaer, Jeroen Kerstens, Esther Brusse, Ron H J Mathijssen, Daphne W Dumoulin, Astrid A M van der Veldt, Marjolein Geurts

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMJ neurology open, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Anne Merel van WylickDepartment of Neurology, Brain Tumor Center at Erasmus MC Cancer Center, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0000-2888-3798
Martin van den BentDepartment of Neurology, Brain Tumor Center at Erasmus MC Cancer Center, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Bart C JacobsDepartment of Neurology, Erasmus MC Universitair Medisch Centrum Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8985-2458
Maarten TitulaerDepartment of Neurology, Erasmus MC Universitair Medisch Centrum Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Jeroen KerstensDepartment of Neurology, Erasmus MC Universitair Medisch Centrum Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Esther BrusseDepartment of Neurology, Erasmus MC Universitair Medisch Centrum Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Ron H J MathijssenDepartment of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5667-5697
Daphne W DumoulinDepartment of Pulmonology, Erasmus Medical Center Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5578-7902
Astrid A M van der VeldtDepartment of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Marjolein GeurtsDepartment of Neurology, Brain Tumor Center at Erasmus MC Cancer Center, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Timely recognition of immune checkpoint immune-related neurological adverse events (irNAEs) is critical given their potential severity, yet remains challenging due to limited clinical experience. This study investigates clinical presentation and management of irNAEs from a neurological perspective. Methods: We retrospectively identified all patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) at Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands between 2017 and 2024. Patient records were analysed by a neurologist for clinical and treatment of irNAE post-ICI initiation. Results: Of 3176 ICI-treated patients, irNAE was diagnosed in 76 cases (2.4%). Peripheral syndromes occurred in 55 (70%), central in 21 (30%) patients. Classification into distinct disease entities was challenging due to remarkable overlap in affected neurological structures. Median onset of irNAE was 8 weeks after ICI initiation (range 1-104 weeks); 70% developed within 18 weeks. IrNAE-related mortality was 13%, observed only in the first 18 weeks. Fewer non-small cell lung cancer patients developed irNAE (OR, 0.36; 95% CI 0.16 to 0.8; p=0.012) compared with other tumour types. Males (OR, 1.78; 95% CI 1.1 to 2.90; p=0.019) and PD1/CTLA4 combination therapy (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.28 to 3.46, p=0.004) were associated with increased irNAE incidence. Glucocorticoids were given in 64% of patients; 14% received immunosuppressive therapy beyond steroids. Treatment response varied widely, both clinically and temporally. Conclusion: This retrospective single-centre study confirms irNAEs are infrequent complications of ICI. The distinct symptom profile, with substantial overlap within affected neurological structures, underscores the need for neurological expertise in irNAE care. While most develop within 18 weeks of treatment, late-onset cases occur. Mortality occurred only in early-onset cases.

Indexed as

CLINICAL NEUROLOGYNEUROONCOLOGYONCOLOGY

Identifiers

PMID42553608
PMCPMC13436001

What Socratic holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.