ABSTRACT
Introduction
Since immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) blockade has become standard therapy for many cancers, immune-related adverse events (irAEs) have increased. ICI-pneumonitis is infrequent but potentially fatal. In cases not responsive to corticosteroids, additional immunosuppression is recommended. Data for use of infliximab in ≥ grade 3 pneumonitis is sparse.
Materials and Methods
A retrospective review of patients who received infliximab for ICI-pneumonitis from March 2016 to October 2018 was performed. Clinical characteristics were reviewed.
Results
Nine patients (44% women) with ≥ grade 3 pneumonitis were included. Concurrent/prior irAEs were present in 55%. Bronchoscopy was performed in 67%. Median corticosteroid dose was 1.2 mg/kg prior to infliximab, and time from administration of corticosteroids to infliximab ranged from 2 to 34 days. Four patients improved, but the remainder died.
Conclusion
We report improvement of ICI-pneumonitis with infliximab in 4 out of 9 patients in a small, retrospective cohort. Further prospective randomized controlled trials are needed.
Correction: Clinical characteristics, time course, treatment and outcomes of patients with immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated myocarditis