Understanding the safety and toxicity profile of durvalumab for Black patients with lung cancer.

Abstract

e20051 Background: Constituting 12.2% of all new cancer diagnosis in 2023,Lung cancer continues to be among the most common cancers in the US. According to statistics 1 in 16 black males and1 in 20 black females are likely to develop lung cancer in their lifetime.The results of the PACIFIC trial changed the paradigm of management in non-resectable NonSmall Cell Ca and made Durvalumab the standard of care. The toxicity profile of the drug were extensively studied in the study however, only 2% (n-14) of the study population was Black. More studies are required to understand the tolerability and toxicity profile of the drug in the Black population. Methods: This is a retrospective study. Study population consisted of 55 self-identified African Americans diagnosed with stage 3 Non-small Cell Ca who received Durvalumab for consolidation therapy after chemo radiation at a large safety net hospital between 2018-2023.Their charts were reviewed to study: 1. The development of any grade- known adverse side effects of the drug. 2. The tolerability of the drug- assessed as the lack of severe toxicities resulting in discontinuation of the drug. 3. Appearance of any peculiar adverse effects not previously known. 4. Adverse side effects warranting the use of more healthcare resources, like ED visits and hospital admissions for adverse effects. The results were then compared to the results of the PACIFIC trial. Results: 52.7% (n=29) developed known adverse effects of the drug-any grade.20 % (n=11) developed severe adverse effects leading to discontinuation of therapy.32.7%(n=18) were able to tolerate completion of therapy in-spite of adverse effects. 16.3% ( n=9) required ED visits/ hospital visit due to immunotherapy adverse effects. ADRs leading to discontinuation of therapy-pneumonitis -9%, Debilitating Chest Pain-1.8%, Hyperglycemia- 1.8%, severe fatigue-1.8%, atrial fibrillation-1.8%, Autoimmune hepatitis -1.8% and Pan uveitis -1.8%. Other adverse effects are listed in the table. Conclusions: Based on our results, AA are more likely to develop any grade adverse effects than was estimated in the PACIFIC trial, however, the percentage of the AA population discontinuing therapy due to severe adverse effect was lower. While the occurrence of most common adverse effects including Pneumonitis was comparable to the PACIFIC trial, thyroid dysfunction – both hypo and hyperthyroidism was about 3 times more in the AA population. All the thyroid dysfunctions noted were G1 and G2, and did not require discontinuation of therapy. We therefore, recommend providers to be more watchful for signs and symptoms suggestive of thyroid dysfunction when treating AA patients with Durvalumab. [Table: see text]