Immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced bullous pemphigoid: A clinical review
Immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced bullous pemphigoid (ICI-BP) is a rare yet debilitating cutaneous immune-related adverse event characterized by auto-antibody attachment to subepidermal anchoring proteins causing tense bullae and pruritus.Clinical presentation of ICI-BP is variable and may be characterized by extended latent periods or prolonged periods of rash-free pruritus, often hindering prompt diagnosis.Accurate diagnosis of ICI-BP may warrant both tissue and serum analysis with direct immunofluorescence, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and/or indirect immunofluorescence.Currently, a standardized treatment approach is lacking; however, the advent of biologics, including dupilumab, omalizumab, and rituximab, and Janus kinase inhibitors targeting the underlying immunopathogenesis of ICI-BP may provide more targeted therapeutic options and reduce the need for suppressive therapies and/or cessation of immunotherapy.In this article, we provide a comprehensive review of the existing literature detailing the clinical presentation, diagnosis, management, and prognosis of ICI-BP, highlighting our own clinical experience and recommendations.( JAAD Reviews 2026;7:42-51.)
Authors
- Zachary Hopkins (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7248-3281)
- Brandon Block (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2802-6969)
- Benjamin D. Hu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9117-0109)
- Raphaella Lambert (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5175-959X)
- Hannah Verma (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0402-7828)
- Grace Rabinowitz (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0494-280X)
- Jónas A. Aðalsteinsson (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1159-6159)
- Nicholas Gulati (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4347-0710)
- Camille M. Powers (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2106-0566)
- Sach Thakker (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8637-8458)
Institutions
- Reykjavík University (IS)
- University of Iceland (IS)
- Georgetown University (US)
- University of Utah (US)
- National University Hospital of Iceland (IS)
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- JAAD reviews.
- Published
- 2025-11-17
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdrv.2025.11.002
- Primary Topic
- Autoimmune Bullous Skin Diseases
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00