Immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced thyroiditis and its potential mechanisms

The expanding clinical utilization of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in oncology has brought increasing attention to thyroid dysfunction as a prominent immune-related adverse event (irAE). Elucidating the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying ICI-induced thyroiditis represents a critical ste...

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Main Authors: Xueqian Mao, Chaoming Mao, Jiameng Liu, Xi Wang, Yufei Mao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Endocrinology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1584675/full
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author Xueqian Mao
Chaoming Mao
Jiameng Liu
Xi Wang
Yufei Mao
author_facet Xueqian Mao
Chaoming Mao
Jiameng Liu
Xi Wang
Yufei Mao
author_sort Xueqian Mao
collection DOAJ
description The expanding clinical utilization of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in oncology has brought increasing attention to thyroid dysfunction as a prominent immune-related adverse event (irAE). Elucidating the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying ICI-induced thyroiditis represents a critical step toward developing evidence-based diagnostic protocols and targeted therapeutic interventions for cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy. This comprehensive review systematically examines current advances in understanding the etiopathogenesis of ICI-induced thyroiditis. First, we described pharmacological characterization of ICIs, then discussed multifactorial analysis of cellular and molecular contributors to thyroid autoimmunity following ICI administration and finally analyzed critical evaluation of emerging hypotheses regarding primary pathogenic drivers. Through this review, we aim to establish mechanistic connections between ICI pharmacodynamics and thyroid tissue immunopathology.
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publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
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series Frontiers in Endocrinology
spelling doaj-art-784380c36d8e4ef188e3921b6cc578dc2025-08-20T02:32:04ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Endocrinology1664-23922025-06-011610.3389/fendo.2025.15846751584675Immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced thyroiditis and its potential mechanismsXueqian Mao0Chaoming Mao1Jiameng Liu2Xi Wang3Yufei Mao4Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, ChinaDepartment of Nuclear Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, ChinaDepartment of Nuclear Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, ChinaDepartment of Nuclear Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, ChinaDepartment of Ultrasound Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, ChinaThe expanding clinical utilization of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in oncology has brought increasing attention to thyroid dysfunction as a prominent immune-related adverse event (irAE). Elucidating the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying ICI-induced thyroiditis represents a critical step toward developing evidence-based diagnostic protocols and targeted therapeutic interventions for cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy. This comprehensive review systematically examines current advances in understanding the etiopathogenesis of ICI-induced thyroiditis. First, we described pharmacological characterization of ICIs, then discussed multifactorial analysis of cellular and molecular contributors to thyroid autoimmunity following ICI administration and finally analyzed critical evaluation of emerging hypotheses regarding primary pathogenic drivers. Through this review, we aim to establish mechanistic connections between ICI pharmacodynamics and thyroid tissue immunopathology.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1584675/fullimmune-related adverse eventsimmune checkpoint inhibitorsimmune checkpoint inhibitor-induced thyroiditisthyrotoxicosishypothyroidism
spellingShingle Xueqian Mao
Chaoming Mao
Jiameng Liu
Xi Wang
Yufei Mao
Immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced thyroiditis and its potential mechanisms
Frontiers in Endocrinology
immune-related adverse events
immune checkpoint inhibitors
immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced thyroiditis
thyrotoxicosis
hypothyroidism
title Immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced thyroiditis and its potential mechanisms
title_full Immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced thyroiditis and its potential mechanisms
title_fullStr Immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced thyroiditis and its potential mechanisms
title_full_unstemmed Immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced thyroiditis and its potential mechanisms
title_short Immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced thyroiditis and its potential mechanisms
title_sort immune checkpoint inhibitor induced thyroiditis and its potential mechanisms
topic immune-related adverse events
immune checkpoint inhibitors
immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced thyroiditis
thyrotoxicosis
hypothyroidism
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1584675/full
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AT jiamengliu immunecheckpointinhibitorinducedthyroiditisanditspotentialmechanisms
AT xiwang immunecheckpointinhibitorinducedthyroiditisanditspotentialmechanisms
AT yufeimao immunecheckpointinhibitorinducedthyroiditisanditspotentialmechanisms