CAPhO 2026 Immunotherapy Skin Toxicities of Anti-Cancer Treatments

Plenary session

This presentation reviews cutaneous toxicities associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors, which occur in up to 50% of patients and reflect immune activation across multiple organ systems. It emphasizes early recognition, patient education, and preventative skincare using a simple “cleanse, moisturize, protect” approach. Common skin manifestations include pruritus, eczematous, lichenoid, psoriasiform, bullous, and exanthematous eruptions. Management is stepwise, prioritizing topical therapies and minimizing systemic steroids when possible due to potential negative oncologic outcomes. Emerging evidence supports targeted treatments such as biologics for refractory cases. Overall, the talk highlights practical, Canadian-aligned algorithms to optimize dermatologic care while preserving cancer treatment efficacy.