scholarly journals Management of pulmonary toxicity associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (154) ◽  
pp. 190012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Myriam Delaunay ◽  
Grégoire Prévot ◽  
Samia Collot ◽  
Laurent Guilleminault ◽  
Alain Didier ◽  
...  

Immunotherapy has become a standard of care in oncology, following the recent approvals of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein-4 and programmed cell death-1 inhibitors in lung cancer, melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma, bladder, head and neck cancers. Besides their efficacy, these agents also generate specific immune-related adverse events. Due to the increasing prescription of immune-checkpoint inhibitors, the incidence of immune toxicity will continue to rise. The awareness of immune-related adverse events is key to ensuring both diagnosis and management of the possible serious adverse events. Although severe immune-related adverse events remain rare, they can lead to discontinued treatment or to death if they are not forecasted and managed properly. Even if lung toxicity is not the most frequent adverse event, it remains critical as it can be life-threatening. Herein, the main aspects of pulmonary toxicity are reviewed and guidelines are also proposed in order to manage the possible side-effects.

Immunotherapy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 481-510 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria V Deligiorgi ◽  
Mihalis I Panayiotidis ◽  
Dimitrios T Trafalis

Designated as scientific breakthrough of current decade, immune checkpoint inhibitors attenuate the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) and the programmed cell death 1 (PD-1)/ligand 1 (PD-L1) pathways, depriving cancer cells of a key strategy of evasion from immunosurveillance. The reinvigoration of immune response translates into clinical success, inevitably entwined with a novel constellation of immune-related adverse events. The present review dissects the endocrine immune-related adverse events, emphasizing their unique profile featured by unpredictable onset, irreversibility, nonspecific symptoms, wide clinical spectrum and sophisticated diagnostic work-up. Guidelines advocate individualized decision-making process guided by clinicians' judgement. Future perspective should be governed by five principles – prevention, anticipation, detection, treatment, monitoring – aiming to gain the optimal profit diminishing immunotoxicity.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lin Zhou ◽  
Xin Wei

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are novel immunotherapy-based drugs that have become increasingly popular in the treatment of lung cancer. Researchers have recognized ocular immune-related adverse events (irAEs) secondary to ICIs because of their vision-threatening characteristics. However, they are incompletely characterized and no studies have reported the ICI-related ocular irAEs in lung cancer. Therefore, we aimed to comprehensively illustrate the clinical characteristics, contributory factors, diagnosis, and management of ICI-related ocular irAEs in lung cancer, based on previously reported 79 patients. Ophthalmoplegia (40.51%), uveitis (20.25%), and dry eye (17.72%) were the most common ICI-related ocular irAEs in lung cancer. Ptosis was the most common (36.71%) and the highest mortality (23.33%) of ophthalmoplegia. Patients in Asia and patients who underwent combination therapy with programmed cell death-1 and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 inhibitors demonstrated significantly higher frequency of ophthalmoplegia than other ocular irAEs. Most ICI-related ophthalmoplegia and uveitis in lung cancer were observed in the first 10 weeks following the initiation of ICIs. Furthermore, the onset time of dry eye and other ocular irAEs was much longer. In addition, 92.31% of the patients with ocular irAEs other than ophthalmoplegia could be remised. In conclusion, ocular irAEs secondary to ICIs in lung cancer are non-negligible, particularly ophthalmoplegia. Ethnicity and the type of ICIs play important roles in the distribution of ocular irAEs. ICI-related ophthalmoplegia in lung cancer presented with early onset and worse prognosis features, thus necessitating further attention.


Author(s):  
Barbara Barnes Rogers, CRNP, MN, AOCN, ANP-BC ◽  
Carolyn Zawislak, MPAS, PA-C ◽  
Victoria Wong, PA-C

Immune checkpoint inhibitors target suppressor receptors, including cytotoxic T-lymphocyte–associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4), programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), and programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1). The activated T cells are not antigen specific; therefore, the blockade of the immune checkpoint may result in the development of autoimmune adverse events. The most common immune-related adverse events (irAEs) are rash, colitis, and endocrinopathies. However, irAEs that affect the hematologic system are rare and can affect red blood cells (e.g., autoimmune hemolytic anemia), white blood cells, and platelets (e.g., immune thrombocytopenia). Usually one cell line is affected; however, in some cases, multiple cell lines can be affected. Other changes in the hematologic system can also be affected (e.g., cryoglobulinemia, cytokine release syndrome). Due to the rarity and lack of recognition of these AEs, the timing, spectrum of events, and clinical presentation are poorly understood. Management of hematologic irAEs usually involves the use of steroids; however, other agents (e.g., IVIG, cyclosporine, rituximab) or procedures (e.g., plasma exchange, transfusions) can also be used.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 87 (3) ◽  
pp. E281-E288
Author(s):  
Elisa Aquilanti ◽  
Priscilla K Brastianos

Abstract Immune checkpoint inhibitors enhance immune recognition of tumors by interfering with the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA4) and programmed death 1 (PD1) pathways. In the past decade, these agents brought significant improvements to the prognostic outlook of patients with metastatic cancers. Recent data from retrospective analyses and a few prospective studies suggest that checkpoint inhibitors have activity against brain metastases from melanoma and nonsmall cell lung cancer, as single agents or in combination with radiotherapy. Some studies reported intracranial response rates that were comparable with systemic ones. In this review, we provide a comprehensive summary of clinical data supporting the use of anti-CTLA4 and anti-PD1 agents in brain metastases. We also touch upon specific considerations on the assessment of intracranial responses in patients and immunotherapy-specific toxicities. We conclude that a subset of patients with brain metastases benefit from the addition of checkpoint inhibitors to standard of care therapeutic modalities, including radiotherapy and surgery.


2020 ◽  
pp. 16-24
Author(s):  
D. I. Yudin ◽  
K. K. Laktionov ◽  
K. A. Sarantseva ◽  
O. I. Borisova ◽  
V. V. Breder ◽  
...  

Recently immune checkpoint inhibitors amazingly changed the landscape of cancer therapy worldwide. The number of immune checkpoint molecules in clinical practice is constantly increasing. There are some monoclonal antibodies recently registered in the Russian Federation: anti-PD1 antibodies (nivolumab, pembrolizumab), anti-PD-L1 (atezolizumab, durvalumab), anti-CTLA-4 (ipilimumab). Immune-mediated endocrinopathies are some of the most common complications of immunotherapy. According to the results of clinical studies, the incidence of serious endocrine immuno-mediated adverse events with anti-PD1 monoclonal antibodies is low (3.5–8%). The use of anti-CTLA4 antibodies, combined regimens, and the use of immunotherapy after chemoradiotherapy significantly increase the incidence of serious adverse events to 30%. In clinical practice of N.N. Blokhin Cancer Research Center among 245 non-small cell lung cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma patients treated with immunotherapy, 22 (8,9%) developed an immune-mediated endocrinopathy. Most patients developed adverse events of 1–2 degrees, in two patients – 3 degrees, requiring discontinuation of treatment. The aim of this article was to provide useful information and recommendations regarding the management of common immuno-related endocrine adverse events (including hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, pituitary, adrenal insufficiency) for clinical oncologists.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. e001694
Author(s):  
Mario Mandala ◽  
Paul Lorigan ◽  
Matilde De Luca ◽  
Andrea Bianchetti ◽  
Barbara Merelli ◽  
...  

BackgroundIn ambulatory patients with cancer with asymptomatic or pauci-symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection, the safety of targeted therapies (TTs), chemotherapy (CT) or immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) therapy is still unknown.Material and methodsFrom the start of the first epidemic wave of SARS-CoV-2 in Bergamo, Italy, we have prospectively screened all consecutive outpatients who presented for treatment to the Oncology Division of the Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital, Bergamo for SARS-CoV-2 antigen expression. We identified patients treated with ICIs and compared these to patients with the same cancer subtypes treated with TTs or CT.ResultsBetween March 5 and May 18, 293 consecutive patients (49% melanoma, 34% non-small cell lung cancer, 9% renal cell carcinoma, 8% other) were included in this study: 159 (54%), 50 (17%) and 84 (29%) received ICIs, CT or TTs, respectively. Overall 89 patients (30.0%) were SARS-CoV-2 positive. Mortality of SARS-CoV-2-positive patients was statistically significantly higher compared with SARS-CoV-2 negative patients (8/89 vs 3/204, respectively, Fisher’s exact test p=0.004). All deaths were due to COVID-19. Serious adverse events (SAEs) were more frequent in SARS-CoV-2-positive patients compared with SARS-CoV-2-negative cases (Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel (CMH) test p=0.0008). The incidence of SAEs in SARS-CoV-2 positive compared with SARS-CoV-2 negative patients was similar in ICI and CT patients (17.3% and 3.7% for positive and negative patients in ICIs and 15.4% and 2.7% in CT, Breslow-Day test p=0.891). No COVID-19-related SAEs were observed in the TTs patients.ConclusionsThe incidence of SAEs was higher for SARS-CoV-2-positive patients treated with ICIs and CT, mostly in advanced disease. No SAEs were observed in patients treated with TTs. SAEs were COVID-19 related rather than treatment related. Treatment with ICIs does not appear to significantly increase risk of SAEs compared with CT. This information should be considered when determining treatment options for patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chenxin Chen ◽  
Ting Chen ◽  
Jizhou Liang ◽  
Xiaojing Guo ◽  
Jinfang Xu ◽  
...  

This study was to scientifically and systematically explore the association between cardiotoxicity and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and also to characterize the spectrum of ICI-related cardiac complications. From the first quarter of 2014 to the fourth quarter of 2019, data from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System database were selected to conduct the disproportionality analysis. Reporting odds ratios and information components were used to evaluate the signal after statistical shrinkage transformation. In total, 7,443,137 cases and 36,326,611 drug-adverse event pairs were collected, among which 9,271 cases were identified to be related to ICI-induced cardiotoxicities. The number of male patients was much higher than that of females (5,579 vs. 3,031) and males presented a slightly higher reporting frequency than females in general, which was statistically significant (ROR = 1.04, 95%CI: 0.99–1.09, p < 0.001). Simultaneously, the proportion of serious or life-threatening outcomes in males was significantly higher than in females (ROR = 1.05, 95%CI: 0.96–1.15, p < 0.001). Importantly, ICIs were associated with over-reporting frequencies of cardiotoxicities in general (ROR025 = 1.06, IC025 = 0.08). PD-1 and PD-L1 were found to be related to cardiac adverse events, corresponding to ROR025 = 1.06, IC025 = 0.08, and ROR025 = 1.06, IC025 = 0.08, respectively, while anti-CTLA-4 (cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4) was significantly associated with some specific adverse events rather than common adverse events. The spectrum of cardiotoxicities induced by ICIs mostly differed among individual agents, but also demonstrated some common features. Dyspnea (N = 2,527, 21.25%), myocarditis (N = 614, 5.16%), atrial fibrillation (N = 576, 4.84%), cardiac failure (N = 476, 4.00%), and pericardial effusion (N = 423, 3.56%) were the top five cardiac adverse events reported in the database. Among them, myocarditis was the only one caused by all ICIs with strong signal value and high risk, warranting further attention. Overall, this investigation mainly showed the profile of cardiotoxicities caused by ICIs, which varied between different ICI therapies, but also shared some similarities in specific symptoms such as myocarditis. Therefore, it is vital and urgent to recognize and manage ICI-related cardiotoxicities, known to frequently occur in clinical practice, at the earliest point.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clelia Donisi ◽  
Marco Puzzoni ◽  
Pina Ziranu ◽  
Eleonora Lai ◽  
Stefano Mariani ◽  
...  

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the typical inflammation-induced neoplasia. It often prospers where a chronic liver disease persists, thus leading a strong rationale for immune therapy. Several immune-based treatments, including immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), cytokines, adoptive cell transfer, and vaccines, have been tested in the treatment of HCC. In this review, we summarize the role of the ICI in HCC patients in various sets of treatment. As for advanced HCC, the anti-Programmed cell Death protein 1 (PD1) antibodies and the anti-Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte Antigen 4 (CTLA-4) antibodies have been examined in patients with enthusiastic results in phase I-II-III studies. Overall, this led the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve pembrolizumab, nivolumab, and nivolumab + ipilimumab in the second-line setting. The anti- Programmed Death-Ligand 1 (PDL-1) antibodies have also been evaluated. Thanks to the results obtained from phase III IMbrave study, atezolizumab + bevacizumab is now the standard of care in the first-line advanced setting of HCC. As for localized HCC, the putative immunological effect of locoregional therapies led to evaluate the combination strategy with ICI. This way, chemoembolization, ablation with radiofrequency, and radioembolization combined with ICI are currently under study. Likewise, the study of adjuvant immunotherapy following surgical resection is underway. In addition, the different ICI has been studied in combination with other ICI as well as with multikinase inhibitors and anti-angiogenesis monoclonal antibody. The evidence available suggests that combining systemic therapies and locoregional treatments with ICI may represent an effective strategy in this context.


2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith Anna Seidel ◽  
Atsushi Otsuka ◽  
Kenji Kabashima

Immune checkpoints are essential for preventing immunopathology but can also obstruct anti-tumor immune responses. Recent medical advances in blocking these mechanisms have therefore opened promising avenues in the treatment of cancer.  Various blocking antibodies targeting the immune checkpoints programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) are now approved for human use. This review summarizes the properties of PD-1 and CTLA-4 in physiological and tumor settings, and examines the treatment efficacy, side effects and biomarkers of their inhibitors. Future avenues in the application and development of immune checkpoint inhibitors for the treatment of cancer are also explored.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bliss Anderson ◽  
Daniel L Morganstein

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are now widely used in the treatment of multiple cancers. The major toxicities of these treatments are termed immune related adverse events and endocrine dysfunction is common. Thyroid disease, hypopituitarism and a form of diabetes resembling type 1 diabetes are now all well described, with different patterns emerging with different checkpoint inhibitors. We review the presentation and management of the common endocrine immune related adverse events, and discuss a number of recent advances in the understanding of these important, potentially life threatening toxicities. We also discuss some remaining dilemmas in management.


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