Immune related adverse effects (IRAEs) in patients with cancer who received immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs): A single center experience from rural Maine.

Abstract

e19265 Background: ICIs are used for a variety of malignancies and have shown to improve survival, but they are associated with IRAEs. We aim to identify the frequency and severity of new IRAEs and flares of preexisting autoimmune (AI) disorders excluding thyroid disorders in cancer patients treated with ICIs at our institution. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review analysis of all cancer patients who received ICIs: nivolumab, pembrolizumab, atezolizumab and durvalumab at the Northern Light Cancer Institute from June 2015 to March 2019. We excluded patients who received ipilimumab. We then studied those who developed IRAEs. Results: Out of 465 who received ICIs, 115(24.7%) developed IRAEs. 83 out of 298 (27.9%) nivolumab recipients, 20/121 (15.7%) pembrolizumab recipients, 5/26 (19.2%) atezolizumab and 7/20 (35%) durvalumab recipients developed IRAEs. Some patients had multiple toxicities. Median age at cancer diagnosis was 66 years, evenly split among males and females. Majority (63%) were treated for Lung cancer, followed by melanoma (20%) and genitourinary cancers (12%). Summary of new IRAEs are as noted in the table below. In patients with new IRAEs treatment was held in 29(6%) for a median duration of 7.2 wks. Upon rechallenge with the same ICI in 27 patients, 20(74%) tolerated and 7 did not leading to permanent discontinuation. Majority were treated with steroids and some required immunomodulators. Interestingly 39(8%) patients with underlying AI condition received ICIs. Of these 11(28.2%) developed flares, resulting in permanent discontinuation of drug in 4. The majority tolerated the treatment well. Treatment was permanently discontinued in 70(15%), 26(6%) required hospital admission for IRAEs. Pneumonitis was the most common toxicity necessitating treatment discontinuation and hospital stay. Conclusions: In real world setting the frequency and severity of IRAEs was more than the reported literature data, leading to higher rates of permanent discontinuation of treatment. [Table: see text]