scholarly journals Risk of tuberculosis in patients with cancer treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors: a nationwide observational study

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. e002960
Author(s):  
Seongman Bae ◽  
Ye-Jee Kim ◽  
Min-ju Kim ◽  
Jwa Hoon Kim ◽  
Sung-Cheol Yun ◽  
...  

BackgroundWhile some recent studies have reported the development of tuberculosis (TB) in patients exposed to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), there is limited evidence to date. Therefore, we evaluated the risk of TB in patients with cancer exposed to ICIs using the National Health Insurance claims data in South Korea.MethodsPatients with diagnostic codes for non-small cell lung cancer, urothelial carcinoma or melanoma between August 2017 and June 2019 were identified. The incidence rate and standardized incidence ratio (SIR) of TB were calculated for both the ICI exposure and non-exposure groups. The risk of TB according to ICI exposure was assessed using a multivariable Cox regression model.ResultsDuring the study period, 141 550 patients with cancer and 916 new TB cases were identified. Among the 5037 patients exposed to ICIs, 20 were diagnosed with TB at a median of 2.2 months after the ICI was initiated. The crude incidence rate of TB per 100,000 person-years was 675.8 (95% CI 412.8 to 1043.8) for the ICI exposure group and 599.1 (95% CI 560.5 to 639.6) for the non-exposure group. The SIR for TB was 8.1 (95% CI 8.0 to 8.2) in the ICI exposure group. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, ICI treatment was not significantly associated with an increased risk of TB (HR: 0.73; 95% CI 0.47 to 1.14).ConclusionsWhile the incidence of TB in cancer patients exposed to ICIs was eightfold higher than in the general population, the risk of patients with cancer developing TB did not significantly differ according to ICI exposure.

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (8) ◽  
pp. 2278
Author(s):  
Afshin Derakhshani ◽  
Zeinab Rostami ◽  
Hossein Safarpour ◽  
Mahdi Abdoli Shadbad ◽  
Niloufar Sadat Nourbakhsh ◽  
...  

Over the past decade, there have been remarkable advances in understanding the signaling pathways involved in cancer development. It is well-established that cancer is caused by the dysregulation of cellular pathways involved in proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, cell metabolism, migration, cell polarity, and differentiation. Besides, growing evidence indicates that extracellular matrix signaling, cell surface proteoglycans, and angiogenesis can contribute to cancer development. Given the genetic instability and vast intra-tumoral heterogeneity revealed by the single-cell sequencing of tumoral cells, the current approaches cannot eliminate the mutating cancer cells. Besides, the polyclonal expansion of tumor-infiltrated lymphocytes in response to tumoral neoantigens cannot elicit anti-tumoral immune responses due to the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Nevertheless, the data from the single-cell sequencing of immune cells can provide valuable insights regarding the expression of inhibitory immune checkpoints/related signaling factors in immune cells, which can be used to select immune checkpoint inhibitors and adjust their dosage. Indeed, the integration of the data obtained from the single-cell sequencing of immune cells with immune checkpoint inhibitors can increase the response rate of immune checkpoint inhibitors, decrease the immune-related adverse events, and facilitate tumoral cell elimination. This study aims to review key pathways involved in tumor development and shed light on single-cell sequencing. It also intends to address the shortcomings of immune checkpoint inhibitors, i.e., their varied response rates among cancer patients and increased risk of autoimmunity development, via applying the data from the single-cell sequencing of immune cells.


2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 2638-2638
Author(s):  
Yongjie Wang ◽  
Ronghua Yang ◽  
Dong Wang ◽  
Donghua Zhao ◽  
Peng Li ◽  
...  

2638 Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), such as programmed death(ligand)1 (PD-(L)1) and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) inhibitors, have dramatic effects on treatment in patients with various malignancies. High tumor mutation burden (TMB) is predictive of clinical response to ICI in multiple cancer types. Although age-related immune dysfunction might induce difference on the efficacy of ICIs between younger and older patients, the potential effect of age on the efficacy of ICIs remains little known and controversial. Herein, we aimed to analysis the association between age and the efficacy of ICIs based on MSKCC cohort. Methods: We screened out 1661 patients having complete information with advanced cancer, whose tumors underwent next-generation sequencing (NGS) detection and who were treated with at least one dose of ICI in MSKCC cohort. All patients were divided into two groups according to age, the younger group (age ≤50-year old) and the older group (age > 50-year old). We further analyzed the differences in overall survival (OS) and TMB between the two groups. The pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated via Cox regression model for OS and P-values were calculated via the Wilcoxon sign test for TMB. We analyzed the effect of age on ICI in lung cancer using the same way. Results: In 1661 patients with cancer in our study, 312 (19%) younger and 1349 (81%) older patients were found. The pooled HRs for OS was 1.28 (95% CI: 1.09-1.52) in younger group compared with older group. In 1661 patients with cancer, there was 350 (21%) patients with lung cancer, including 30 (9%) younger and 320 (91%) older patients. The pooled HRs for OS was 1.45 (95% CI: 0.95-2.23) in younger group compared with older group in lung cancer. In addition, TMB in older group was higher than in younger group and significant difference of TMB was found via the Wilcoxon sign test (p = 2.6e-10) between the two groups, especially in lung cancer (p = 1e-4). Conclusions: Our study assessed the impact of age on the efficacy of ICIs using the threshold of 50 years old for the first time and we founded that patients in older group had higher TMB and longer OS than younger group.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Deniz Can Guven ◽  
Oktay Halit Aktepe ◽  
Melek Seren Aksun ◽  
Taha Koray Sahin ◽  
Gozde Kavgaci ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: The albumin-globulin ratio (AGR) could be a prognostic biomarker in patients with cancer, although the data is limited in patients treated with immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the association between AGR and survival in ICI-treated patients. METHODS: The data of 212 advanced-stage patients were retrospectively evaluated in this cohort study. The association between AGR with overall (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were evaluated with multivariate analyses. Additionally, receptor operating curve (ROC) analysis was conducted to assess the AGR’s predictive power in the very early progression (progression within two months) and long-term benefit (more than twelve months survival). RESULTS: The median AGR was calculated as 1.21, and patients were classified into AGR-low and high subgroups according to the median. In the multivariate analyses, patients with lower AGR (< 1.21) had decreased OS (HR: 1.530, 95% CI: 1.100–2.127, p= 0.011) and PFS (HR: 1.390, 95% CI: 1.020–1.895, p= 0.037). The area under curve of AGR to detect early progression and long-term benefit were 0.654 (95% CI: 0.562–0.747, p= 0.001) and 0.671 (95% CI: 0.598–0.744, p< 0.001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, survival with ICIs was impaired in patients with lower AGR. Additionally, the AGR values could detect the very early progression and long-term benefit ICIs.


2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 4583-4583
Author(s):  
Chris Labaki ◽  
Sarah Abou Alaiwi ◽  
Andrew Lachlan Schmidt ◽  
Talal El Zarif ◽  
Ziad Bakouny ◽  
...  

4583 Background: The use of High-Dose Corticosteroids (HDC) has been linked to poor outcomes in patients with lung cancer treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) (Ricciuti B, JCO, 2019). There is no data on the effect of HDC on renal cell carcinoma patients (RCC) treated with immunotherapy. We hypothesized that HDC use would be associated with worse outcomes in RCC patients receiving ICIs. Methods: This study evaluated a retrospective cohort of patients with RCC at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, MA. Clinical information including demographics, IMDC risk score, RCC histology, steroid administration, ICI regimen, line of therapy, time to treatment failure (TTF) and overall survival (OS) were collected. Patients were divided into those receiving HDC (prednisone ≥10 mg or equivalent for ≥ 1 week, HDC group) or not receiving HDC (No-HDC group). HDC administration was evaluated in relation to TTF and OS in a univariate analysis (Log-rank test) and a multivariate analysis (Cox regression). Results: 190 patients with RCC receiving ICIs were included, with a median age of 59 years. HDC were administered to 56 patients and 134 patients received no (N= 116) or only low-dose (N=18) steroids. In the HDC group, 40 patients received steroids for immune-related adverse events, 8 for other cancer-related indications, and 8 for non-oncological indications. There was no difference in TTF between the HDC and No-HDC groups (12-mo TTF rate: 34.8 vs. 32.3%, respectively; log-rank p=0.65). Similarly, there was no difference in OS between the HDC and No-HDC groups (36-mo OS rate: 56.7 vs. 62.4%, respectively; log-rank p=0.97). After adjusting for IMDC risk group, RCC histology, ICI regimen type, and line of therapy, TTF and OS did not differ in the HDC group as compared to No-HDC group (HR=1.14 [95%CI: 0.80-1.62], p=0.44 and HR=1.17 [95%CI: 0.65-2.11], p=0.59, respectively). Conclusions: In this retrospective study of patients with RCC treated with ICIs, administration of high-dose corticosteroids was not associated with worse outcomes.[Table: see text]


Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingyi Gong ◽  
Zsofia Drobni ◽  
Raza Alvi ◽  
Sean Murphy ◽  
Sarah Hartmann ◽  
...  

Introduction: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) lead to immune activation, increased inflammation and cancer cell death. Both immune activation and inflammation are critical pathobiological drivers for venous thromboembolism (VTE). There are no robust data testing the effect of ICIs on the risk of developing VTE. Methods: This is a retrospective study of 2854 patients who received ICIs at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. VTE events, defined as a composite of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE), were identified by individual chart review and were blindly adjudicated using standard criteria. A case-crossover design was applied with an “at-risk period” defined as the two-year period after and the “control period” as the two years prior to treatment. Incidence rate ratio (IRR) was calculated using Poisson’s regression. Results: Immune checkpoint inhibitor use increased VTE risk by 1.84-fold from 4.85 per 100-person years to 8.91 per 100 person-years (IRR 1.84, 95% confidence interval: 1.54 - 2.19, p <0.001). Of the individual components, there was a 2.44-fold increase in DVT risk (2.30 to 5.58 per 100 person-years) and 1.68-fold increase in PE risk (2.96 to 5.00 per 100 person-years). Comparing patients with and without a VTE event, those with a VTE event after ICI initiation had a higher rate of prior VTE, lung cancer, urothelial cancer, and a higher platelet count and white blood cell count at baseline. At 6 months post ICI initiation, 165 (8.6%) patients had a VTE event and of these patients 136 (7.1%) had no prior VTE. Conclusions: Patients with cancer treated with ICIs are at increased risk of developing VTE. Whether prophylaxis for VTE among patients starting an ICI reduces this risk is unclear.


2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 1219-1227 ◽  
Author(s):  
ONDREJ FIALA ◽  
ONDREJ SOREJS ◽  
JAN SUSTR ◽  
RADEK KUCERA ◽  
ONDREJ TOPOLCAN ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
pp. 030089162095346
Author(s):  
Nilay Sengul Samanci ◽  
Duygu Ilke Cikman ◽  
Kerem Oruc ◽  
Sahin Bedir ◽  
Emir Çelik ◽  
...  

Introduction: With the widespread use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), we are facing challenges in the management of immune-related adverse events (irAEs). We aimed to characterize the spectrum of toxicity, management, and outcomes for irAEs. Methods: Patients who were treated with at least one ICI in clinical trials, expanded access programs, or routine clinical practice were included. Clinical and laboratory parameters were collected retrospectively to determine the incidence of irAEs, methods of management, and treatment outcomes. Results: A total of 255 patients were screened retrospectively. Of these, 71 (27.8%) patients developed irAEs. More than 2 different types of irAEs were detected in 16 (6.2%) out of 255 patients. A total of 3177 doses were given to 255 patients. In 93 (2.9%) of the 3177 doses, 1 episode of irAEs was experienced. A total of 22 out of 93 (23.7%) episodes were reported as grade 1, 49 (52.7%) as grade 2, 19 (20.4%) as grade 3, and 3 (3.2%) as grade 4. The most frequently seen irAEs were pneumonitis, hepatitis, and hypothyroidism. With regard to treatment, 39 out of 93 episodes (42%) of any grade irAEs occurred after anti–programmed cell death-1 therapy, 47 (50.5%) occurred following administration of anti–programmed death-ligand 1, and 7 (7.5%) occurred after combination treatments. Conclusion: With the increased use of immunotherapeutic agents, increased awareness and early recognition are required for effective management of irAEs. Our experience as a single institution might be of use for health care providers in oncology.


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 8030-8030
Author(s):  
Steven R Hwang ◽  
Alexandra Higgins ◽  
Betsy LaPlant ◽  
Matthew J. Maurer ◽  
Stephen M. Ansell ◽  
...  

8030 Background: There is growing interest in the identification of modifiable patient-specific factors that may predict response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL). Recently, it has been proposed that antibiotic use could decrease the efficacy of ICIs in the treatment of advanced solid malignancies. The objective of our study is to assess whether antibiotic use prior to or concurrent with ICIs is associated with changes in outcomes in patients with cHL. Methods: Patients who received a PD-1 or CTLA-4 blocker for the treatment of cHL at Mayo Clinic Rochester between January 1, 2011 and October 20, 2018 were identified. We conducted a longitudinal retrospective chart review to identify those who received antibiotics within 30 or 90 days prior to initiation or concurrent with ICI therapy. Univariate cox regression analysis was used to assess for an association between antibiotic use and overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) within these groups; a time-dependent variable was used for concurrent antibiotic use. Results: A total of sixty-two patients were identified (61% male, median age at ICI initiation 35 years [range: 19-87]). Median duration of follow up from ICI start was 38 months (range: 4-78). Twenty-one patients (34%) received antibiotics within 90 days of initiation of ICI, of which thirteen (21%) received antibiotics within 30 days. Thirty-five patients (57%) received antibiotics concurrently with ICI. Concurrent and prior antibiotic use within 90 days of ICI were both associated with inferior PFS (concurrent HR = 6.38 [95% CI 3.02-13.47]; 90-day HR = 2.21 [95% CI 1.10-4.47]) and OS (concurrent HR = 8.77 [95% CI 1.91-40.36]; 90-day HR = 2.96 [95% CI 1.09-8.04]). Conclusions: Antibiotic use is associated with inferior outcomes in patients with cHL treated with ICIs in this single institution cohort. This may reflect potential antibiotic effects on the gut microbiome (GMB) and immune system as has been suggested in prior studies. Further confirmatory studies and examination of potential confounding covariates are needed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chengyin Weng ◽  
Lina Wang ◽  
Guolong Liu ◽  
Mingmei Guan ◽  
Lin Lu

Backgroundm6A-related lncRNAs emerged as potential targets for tumor diagnosis and treatment. This study aimed to identify m6A-regulated lncRNAs in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) patients.Materials and MethodsRNA sequencing and the clinical data of LUSC patients were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The m6A-related lncRNAs were identified by using Pearson correlation assay. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were utilized to construct a risk model. The performance of the risk model was validated using Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and receiver operating characteristics (ROC). Immune estimation of LUSC was downloaded from TIMER, and the correlations between the risk score and various immune cells infiltration were analyzed using various methods. Differences in immune functions and expression of immune checkpoint inhibitors and m6A regulators between high-risk and low-risk groups were further explored. Finally, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were utilized to explore the biological functions of AL122125.1.ResultsA total of 351 m6A-related lncRNAs were obtained from TCGA. Seven lncRNAs demonstrated prognostic values. A further multivariate Cox regression assay constructed a risk model consisting of two lncRNAs (AL122125.1 and HORMAD2-AS1). The Kaplan–Meier analysis and area under the curve indicated that this risk model could be used to predict the prognosis of LUSC patients. The m6A-related lncRNAs were immune-associated. There were significant correlations between risk score and immune cell infiltration, immune functions, and expression of immune checkpoint inhibitors. Meanwhile, there were significant differences in the expression of m6A regulators between the high- and low-risk groups. Moreover, GO and KEGG analyses revealed that the upregulated expression of AL122125.1 was tumor-related.ConclusionIn this study, we constructed an m6A-related lncRNA risk model to predict the survival of LUSC patients. This study could provide a novel insight to the prognosis and treatment of LUSC patients.


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