Hematological Toxicities in the Modern Era of Melanoma Therapy.

Background/

Objectives

The advent of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and targeted therapies has revolutionized advanced melanoma treatment but introduced unique immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Hematological irAEs (Hem-irAEs) are rare but carry disproportionately high morbidity and mortality. This review systematically synthesizes current literature to comprehensively understand the incidence, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and management of Hem-irAEs in modern melanoma therapy.

Methods

A comprehensive Web of Science literature search (January 2015 to January 2026) identified studies reporting hematological adverse events associated with melanoma immunotherapy and targeted therapies. After screening 2274 records, 130 relevant studies were included for quantitative data extraction, focusing on incidence rates and toxicity grading.

Results

Hem-irAEs occur infrequently (under 4% overall incidence for ICIs) but possess staggering mortality rates between 12% and 15.5%. The most common manifestations are immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), autoimmune hemolytic anemia, and neutropenia. Combination regimens significantly amplify toxicity frequency and severity. Diagnosis requires meticulous baseline monitoring and bone marrow biopsies to differentiate peripheral destruction from central marrow failure. First-line management mandates ICI discontinuation and high-dose corticosteroids, utilizing targeted second-line immunosuppressants for refractory syndromes.

Conclusions

Hem-irAEs embody a profound clinical paradox: while mild toxicities often herald a robust anti-tumor response, severe hematological events drastically increase non-cancer mortality, negating these oncological benefits. Navigating this "double-edged sword" demands a paradigm shift toward proactive risk stratification. Integrating predictive biomarkers including baseline autoantibodies, Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) profiling, and systemic inflammatory indices is crucial to identify vulnerable populations before treatment. Optimizing outcomes requires highly personalized vigilance to balance the life-saving efficacy of immunotherapy against the catastrophic threat of hematopoietic failure.