@article {Gambichlere001145, author = {Thilo Gambichler and Judith Reuther and Christina H Scheel and J{\"u}rgen Christian Becker}, title = {On the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with viral infections including COVID-19}, volume = {8}, number = {2}, elocation-id = {e001145}, year = {2020}, doi = {10.1136/jitc-2020-001145}, publisher = {BMJ Specialist Journals}, abstract = {The present review summarizes up-to-date evidence addressing the frequently discussed clinical controversies regarding the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in cancer patients with viral infections, including AIDS, hepatitis B and C, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, influenza, and COVID-19. In detail, we provide available information on (1) safety regarding the risk of new infections, (2) effects on the outcome of pre-existing infections, (3) whether immunosuppressive drugs used to treat ICI-related adverse events affect the risk of infection or virulence of pre-existing infections, (4) whether the use of vaccines in ICI-treated patients is considered safe, and (5) whether there are beneficial effects of ICIs that even qualify them as a therapeutic approach for these viral infections.}, URL = {https://jitc.bmj.com/content/8/2/e001145}, eprint = {https://jitc.bmj.com/content/8/2/e001145.full.pdf}, journal = {Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer} }