Grade irAEs Research Articles

Ipilimumab and nivolumab (I+N) as first-line treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC): A real-world review in North West of England, United Kingdom.

295 Background: Ipilimumab and Nivolumab (I+N) is now an established first line option for patients with advanced RCC of intermediate (I) or poor (P) IMDC risk score. In this retrospective review, we review our experience of this combination in two cancer centres in North West England with a focus on immune related adverse events (irAEs) and their impact on the patient pathway. Methods: Treatment naïve mRCC patients starting I+N between May 2019 and July 2020 were identified. Primary outcomes of interest include overall response rate (ORR), the management of irAEs and early survival observations. Results: A total of 69 patients were identified. Median age was 60yr (19-82yr), 77% had clear cell histology. The IMDC risk was 72% I and 28% P. Median follow-up was 11.0 mo (1-22mo). ORR was 45% (CR 9%, PR 36%, SD 28%, PD 23%, NE 4%) Median time to first response was 2.9mo. (1.8- 15.5mo). 10% of patients experienced pseudoprogression. Median PFS and OS are not yet reached with 86% of patients still alive at the time of data cut-off. The majority (75%) of patients completed all 4 doses of I+N. Of the 10% receiving less than 4 doses due to toxicity, 14% continued on single agent N. Overall, 15% discontinued therapy due to toxicity and 28% experienced at least one treatment delay. Any grade irAEs were seen in 74% of patients (G3 35%) with no treatment related deaths. The commonest irAEs were: rash/pruritis 39%; endocrinopathies 30%(G3 7%); diarrhoea 29% (G3 14%); hepatitis 22% (G3 6%); and nephritis 3% (G3 3%). Of the patients developing irAEs, 71% received steroids with 16% requiring additional immunosuppression including infliximab (6%) and mycophenolate mofetil (8%). A third of all patients required admission for irAE management with a total of 37 inpatient episodes across the cohort with a median length of 7 days (1-24). 7% of patients proceeded to surgery for either primary or metastatic disease, which contributed to ongoing disease response in these patients. At the time of data cut-off, 45% of patients were no longer on treatment due to PD (29%), toxicity (15%) or unrelated death (1%). Of those who stopped due to toxicity, 50% subsequently progressed with a median time to progression of 4mo (3-6 mo) and 50% remain on active surveillance with a median follow-up of 7.5mo (1-10). 62% of patients with PD received second line treatment; most frequently, cabozantinib (83%). Conclusions: Our experience of I+N shows comparable efficacy and toxicity profiles to available reports. irAEs requiring intervention are frequent and may be associated with prolonged hospital admission, and patients should be counselled appropriately. Data within mirrors published reports of ongoing responses in a subset of patients who stop treatment due to toxicity and also suggests a possible role for resection of residual or metastatic disease in disease control. Updated survival data will be presented.

Characterization of outcomes in patients with advanced genitourinary malignancies treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors

PurposeSeveral immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are FDA approved for treatment of genitourinary (GU) malignancies. We aim to determine demographic and clinicopathologic characteristics that significantly affect clinical outcomes in patients with advanced stage GU malignancies treated with ICIs. Materials and methodsWe performed a single-center, consecutive, retrospective cohort analysis on patients with metastatic or unresectable GU malignancies who were treated with ICIs at the University of Michigan. Immune-related adverse events (irAEs), putative immune-mediated allergies, and overall response rates (ORR) were assessed. Comorbidity index scores were calculated. Survival analysis was performed to evaluate progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), stratifying and controlling for a variety of clinicopathologic baseline factors including site of metastases. ResultsA total of 160 patients were identified with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) or urothelial carcinoma. Median PFS and OS were 5.0 and 23.6 months for RCC, and 2.8 and 9.6 months for urothelial carcinoma, respectively. Patients who experienced increased frequency and higher grade irAEs had better ICI treatment response (P < 0.0001). Presence of liver metastases was associated with poor response to ICI therapy (P = 0.001). Multivariable modeling demonstrates that patients with urothelial carcinoma and liver metastases had statistically worse PFS and OS compared to patients with RCC or other sites of metastases, respectively. ConclusionGreater frequency and higher grades of irAEs are associated with better treatment response in patients with RCC and urothelial malignancy receiving ICI therapy. The presence of liver metastases denotes a negative predictive marker for immunotherapy efficacy. SummaryImmune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are increasingly used to treat genitourinary (GU) malignancies. However, clinical data regarding patients with advanced-stage GU malignancies treated with ICI is lacking. Thus, we performed a single-center, retrospective cohort study on patients with metastatic and unresectable renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and urothelial carcinoma who were treated with ICIs at the University of Michigan to provide demographic and clinicopathologic data regarding this population. We specifically focused on immune-related adverse events (irAEs), immune-mediated allergies, and the associated overall response rates (ORR). To better assess performance status, we calculated comorbidity scores for all patients. Finally, survival analyses for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were performed using Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards modeling, stratifying and controlling for clinicopathologic baseline factors, including sites of metastases, in our multivariable analysis. A total of 160 patients were identified with advanced RCC or urothelial carcinoma. We found decreased PFS (2.8 vs. 5.0 months) and decreased OS (9.8 vs. 23.6 months) for urothelial carcinoma compared to RCC patients. We noted that patients who experienced increased frequency and higher grades of irAEs had better treatment ORR with ICI therapy (P ≤ 0.0001). The presence of liver metastases was associated with worse ORR (P = 0.001), PFS (P = 0.0014), and OS (P = 0.0028) compared to other sites of metastases including lymph node, lung, and CNS/bone. The poor PFS and OS associated with urothelial carcinoma and liver metastases were preserved in our multivariable modeling after controlling for pertinent clinical factors. We conclude that greater frequency and higher grades of irAEs are associated with better treatment response in GU malignancy patients receiving ICI, a finding that is consistent with published studies in other cancers. The presence of liver metastases represents a significantly poor predictive marker in GU malignancy treated with ICI. Our findings contribute to the growing body of literature that seeks to understand the clinicopathologic variables and outcomes associated with ICI therapy.

Association of Immune-Related Adverse Events and Efficacy Outcomes With Consolidation Pembrolizumab After Chemoradiation in Patients With Inoperable Stage III Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer

BackgroundMany patients with non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with immunotherapy experience immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Patients with metastatic NSCLC who receive checkpoint inhibitors (CPI) and experience irAEs generally receive fewer cycles of CPI without decreased efficacy. However, the association between irAEs and efficacy outcomes in patients with locally advanced NSCLC treated with curative intent with CPI after chemoradiation has never been reported. Here we report a retrospective analysis of the association between irAEs and efficacy outcomes from the Hoosier Cancer Research Network (HCRN) LUN 14-179 single-arm phase 2 trial of consolidation pembrolizumab after chemoradiation in patients with stage III NSCLC. Patients and MethodsA total of 92 eligible patients were enrolled from March 2015 to November 2016. Demographics, disease characteristics, and number of pembrolizumab cycles received were reported in patients with and without irAEs. Chi-square test was used for comparisons for categorical variables and Wilcoxon test for continuous variables. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze time to metastatic disease or death (TMDD), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). A log-rank test was used to compare groups. ResultsAny grade irAEs occurred in 55.4% of patients. There was no significant difference in number of pembrolizumab cycles received, TMDD, OS, or PFS in patients with and without irAEs. Patients who discontinued pembrolizumab early because of irAEs received significantly fewer cycles of pembrolizumab (5 vs 15, P = .0016) without a significant difference in TMDD, PFS, or OS. Similarly, patients who received immunosuppressive therapy received fewer numbers of cycles of pembrolizumab (4 vs 16, P < .001) without significantly reduced TMDD, PFS, or OS. ConclusionirAEs due to pembrolizumab, regardless of grade or number of irAEs, were not associated with decreased efficacy outcomes. Furthermore, early discontinuation of pembrolizumab because of irAEs and/or treatment of irAEs with immunosuppressive therapy was not associated with a decrease in treatment efficacy.

Plasma Biomarkers Screening by Multiplex ELISA Assay in Patients with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors.

Simple SummaryThere is an unmet need for new predictive biomarkers associated with efficacy and immune-related toxicity of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this study, we performed multiplex ELISA screening in plasma from 35 consecutive patients with advanced NSCLC treated with nivolumab or pembrolizumab, allowing large-scale screening for 48 cytokines involved in immune response and tumour proliferation. We found an association between ICIs efficacy and three cytokines: soluble hepatocyte growth factor (sHGF), soluble Fibroblast Growth Factor (sFGF) and interleukine-12 (IL-12). Moreover, TNF-α, IL-16, IL-12p40 and MCP3 were candidate biomarkers for predicting grade 3–4 immune-related toxicity. This exploratory study shows the potential role of new plasma biomarkers in advanced NSCLC treated with ICIs.Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are commonly used in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). An unmet need remains for new biomarkers associated with ICIs. In this study, consecutive patients with advanced NSCLC treated with nivolumab or pembrolizumab were included. Plasma at ICIs initiation was prospectively collected and a multiplex ELISA assay testing 48 cytokines and growth factors was performed. Exploratory endpoints were the association between plasma biomarkers with outcome and grade III–IV immune related adverse events (irAEs). Thirty-five patients were included. Patients without clinical benefit (n = 22) had higher pre-ICI soluble Hepatocyte Growth Factor (sHGF) (210.9 vs. 155.8 pg/mL, p = 0.010), lower pre-ICI soluble Fibroblast Growth Factor (sFGF) (4.0 vs. 4.8 pg/mL, p = 0.043) and lower pre-ICI interleukine-12 (IL-12) (1.3 vs. 2.2 pg/mL, p = 0.043) concentrations. Patients with early progression (n = 23) had higher pre-ICIs sHGF (206.2 vs. 155.8 pg/mL, p = 0.025) concentrations. Patients with low sHGF levels at ICIs initiation had longer progression-free survival and overall survival than those with high sHGF levels: respectively 2.5 vs. 8.0 months (p = 0.002), and 5.5 vs. 35.0 months (p = 0.001). TNF-α, IL-16, IL-12p40 and MCP3 were associated with high grade irAEs. This study shows the potential association between several plasma biomarkers with outcome and grade 3–4 IrAEs in advanced NSCLC treated with ICIs.

Landscape of immune checkpoint inhibitor-related adverse events in Chinese population

This study aimed to describe the landscape of Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs)-related adverse events (AEs) in a predominantly Chinese cohort. We searched electronic datasets including PubMed, Web of Science and Embase to identify and recruit relevant trials up to September 2, 2019. Clinical trials focusing on ICIs in Chinese patients or a predominantly Chinese population were included. Incidences of treatment-related AEs (TRAEs) and immune-related AEs (irAEs) were pooled and compared. In total, we recruited 13 trials consisting of 1063 patients, with 922 (86.7%) receiving ICI monotherapy and 141 (13.3%) receiving combination of ICI with chemotherapy or anti-angiogenesis. The pooled incidence of any grade TRAEs, grade 1–2, grade 3–5 TRAEs, any grade irAEs, grade 1–2 irAEs and grade 3–5 irAEs in all 1063 patients were 84.1%, 63.3%, 20.9%, 43.3%, 40.0% and 3.0%, respectively. Moreover, 4.3% (44/1018) of patients experienced treatment discontinuation and only 8 (0.8%) patients experienced treatment-related death. Compared to ICI monotherapy, combination significantly increased grade 3–5 TRAEs (46.1% vs. 17.0%, P < 0.001) and grade 3–5 irAEs (7.1% vs. 2.0%, P = 0.015). By comparing the toxicity profiles between different ICIs, we found some drug-specific AEs such as reactive capillary haemangiomas for camrelizumab (58.6%), hyperglycemia for toripalimab (55.6%) and pyrexia for tislelizumab (54.3%). Additionally, nivolumab has the lowest incidence of any grade (64.1%) and grade 3–5 (11.8%) TRAEs. ICI-related AEs were generally mild and tolerable for a predominantly Chinese cohort. However, we should pay attention to the combination of ICI with chemotherapy as it could increase grade 3–5 TRAEs and irAEs.

Immune-related adverse events associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with cancer.

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. 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. 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. 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.

Pretreatment body mass index and clinical outcomes in cancer patients following immune checkpoint inhibitors: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the association between pretreatment body mass index (BMI) and clinical outcomes in cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Systematical searches of PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library databases were carried out. Studies reporting on the association between BMI and outcomes of ICIs were included. The intended outcomes included overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR) and immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Quantitative analyses and dose-response meta-analyses were performed under random effect models. Twenty-two eligible studies involving 5686 cancer patients treated with ICIs were identified. Compared to those with lower BMI, patients with higher BMI obtained a significant benefit on OS (HR = 0.698, 95% CI 0.614-0.794, P < 0.001; I2 = 45.9%) and PFS (HR = 0.760, 95% CI 0.672-0.861, P < 0.001; I2 = 37.9%). Most stratified analyses for OS and PFS also showed similar pooled risk estimates. For an increment of every 5kg/m2 in BMI, the risk for death reduced by approximately 15.6% (HR = 0.844, 95% CI 0.752-0.945, P = 0.003). Moreover, patients with higher BMI had a remarkably better ORR (OR = 0.468, 95% CI 0.263-0.833, P = 0.010; I2 = 73.6%) than that of those with lower BMI. However, no statistically significant differences were found in the incidence of any grade irAEs (P = 0.073) and ≥ 3 grade irAEs (P = 0.105) between higher and lower BMI. Higher BMI is significantly associated with improved outcomes in patients treated with ICIs. Further large-scale prospective research is warranted to better illuminate the association between BMI and outcomes from ICIs.

Immune-related Adverse Events of Pembrolizumab in a Large Real-world Cohort of Patients With NSCLC With a PD-L1 Expression ≥ 50% and Their Relationship With Clinical Outcomes

BackgroundThe role of immune-related adverse events (irAEs), as a surrogate predictor of the efficacy of checkpoint inhibitors, has not yet been described in the setting of first-line, single-agent pembrolizumab for patients with metastatic non–small-cell lung-cancer (NSCLC) with a programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression of ≥ 50%. Patients and MethodsWe previously conducted a multicenter retrospective analysis in patients with treatment-naive metastatic NSCLC and a PD-L1 expression of ≥ 50% receiving first-line pembrolizumab. Here, we report the results of the irAE analysis and the potential correlation between irAEs and clinical outcomes. ResultsA total of 1010 patients were included in this analysis; after a 6-week landmark selection, 877 (86.8%) patients were included in the efficacy analysis. Any grade irAEs (P < .0001), grade 3/4 irAEs (P = .0025), leading to discontinuation irAEs (P = .0144), multiple-site and single-site irAEs (P < .0001), cutaneous irAEs (P = .0001), endocrine irAEs (P = .0227), pulmonary irAEs (P = .0479), and rheumatologic irAEs (P = .0018) were significantly related to a higher objective response rate. Any grade irAEs (P < .0001), single-site irAEs (P < .0001), multiple-site irAEs (P = .0005), cutaneous irAEs (P = .0042), endocrine irAEs (P < .0001), gastrointestinal irAEs (P = .0391), and rheumatologic irAEs (P = .0086) were significantly related to progression-free survival. Any grade irAEs (P < .0001), single-site irAEs (P < .0001), multiple-site irAEs (P = .0003), cutaneous irAEs (P = .0002), endocrine irAEs (P = .0001), and rheumatologic irAEs (P = .0214) were significantly related to overall survival. ConclusionsThis study confirms the feasibility and the safety of first-line, single-agent pembrolizumab, in a large, real-world cohort of patients with NSCLC with PD-L1 expression ≥ 50%. The occurrence of irAEs may be a surrogate of clinical activity and improved outcomes in this setting.

The association between immune-related adverse events and efficacy outcomes with consolidation pembrolizumab after chemoradiation in patients with stage III NSCLC: an analysis from HCRN LUN 14-179.

9032 Background: Consolidation checkpoint inhibitor therapy (CPI) for up to 1 year following chemoradiation (CRT) is a current standard of care for pts with inoperable stage III NSCLC. However, some pts are not able to complete 1 year of CPI due to immune-related adverse events (irAES). In multiple retrospective studies, pts with stage IV NSCLC treated with CPI who experience irAEs generally receive fewer cycles of CPI without a significant detrimental effect on efficacy. The association between irAEs and outcomes with consolidation CPI after CRT has never been reported. Here we report the association between irAEs and efficacy outcomes from the HCRN LUN 14-179, a single-arm phase II trial of consolidation pembrolizumab following concurrent CRT in pts with unresectable stage III NSCLC. Methods: After completion of CRT eligible pts with stage III NSCLC without PD received pembrolizumab 200 mg IV q 3 wks for up to 1 yr. Demographics, disease characteristics, and number of cycles of pembrolizumab received were reported in pts who had any grade irAEs (except pneumonitis which included grade &gt;2 only) [Group A] and those without irAEs (except grade 1 pneumonitis) [Group B]. Chi-square test (or Fisher's Exact test) were used for comparisons for categorical variables and Wilcoxon test for continuous variables. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze time to metastatic disease (TMDD), PFS, and OS. A log-rank test was used to compare groups. Results: 92 eligible pts for efficacy analysis were enrolled from March 2015 to November 2016. 4 yr OS estimate for all pts is 46.2%. Any grade irAEs (except grade I pneumonitis) (n = 37 pts) included pneumonitis (18.5%), colitis (3.3%), increased creatinine (5.4%), elevated transaminases (3.3%), hyperthyroidism (7.6%), hypothyroidism (13.0%). Grade ≥ 2 irAEs (n = 32 pts) included pneumonitis (18.5%), hypothyroidism (10.8%), and colitis (3.3%). Group A/B: male (21/38), female (16/17), current or former smoker (35/52), stage IIIA (20/35), stage IIIB (17/20), non-squamous (21/30), squamous (16/25). Median number of pembrolizumab cycles received in Group A/B pts were 9 vs 15 (p = 0.0942) respectively. 4 yr efficacy endpoints in Groups A/B were TMDD 35.3% vs 41.3% (p = 0.83), PFS 27.8% vs 28.7% (p = 0.97), OS 43.5% vs 47.9% (p = 0.99), respectively. Conclusions: Despite receiving fewer cycles of consolidation pembrolizumab, pts who experienced any grade irAEs (excluding grade 1 pneumonitis) did not have significantly reduced efficacy outcomes. Clinical trial information: NCT02343952.

The pattern of time to onset and resolution of immune-related adverse events caused by immune checkpoint inhibitors in cancer: A pooled analysis of 23 clinical trials and 8,436 patients.

e15110 Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) yield remarkable clinical efficacy in the treatment of cancer. With the increasing use of ICI therapies, the dissemination of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) data is essential. This study aimed to investigate the pattern of onset and resolution of ICI-induced irAEs in cancer. Methods: Phase II–III clinical trials with single or multiple arms studying ICI-based treatments in cancer published between January 2007 and December 2019 were included. The pooled median time to onset (PMT-O), resolution (PMT-R), and immune-modulation resolution (PMT-IMR) of irAEs were analyzed based on irAE categories and severity grades using the metamedian package of the R software. Subgroup analyses were performed based on different ICI drugs, ICI doses, and cancer types. Results: Twenty-two eligible studies involving 23 clinical trials and 8,436 patients were included. On average, irAEs occurred at 6.1 weeks (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 5.7–7.4) after the initial ICI-based treatment. The first four irAEs with the shortest PMT-O were hypersensitivity/infusion reaction (3.1 weeks), neurological (4.0 weeks), skin (4.1 weeks), and gastrointestinal (6.1 weeks) events. IrAEs were resolved within 4.5 weeks (95% CI, 4.0–6.1), with the shortest and longest PMT-R for hypersensitivity/infusion reaction (0.1 weeks) and endocrine events (28.7 weeks), respectively. The application of immune-modulation drugs prolonged the general resolution time to 5.9 weeks, with the shortest and longest PMT-IMR for hypersensitivity/infusion reaction (0.2 weeks) and endocrine events (56.6 weeks), respectively. Grade ≥ 3 irAEs showed a significantly longer PMT-O (7.9 vs. 6.1 weeks; P &lt; 0.01) compared with all grade irAEs. Nivolumab + ipilimumab had a significantly shorter PMT-O than nivolumab alone (6.0 vs. 8.2 weeks; P &lt; 0.01). A significantly shorter PMT-O was observed for lung cancer compared with that for melanoma (4.7 vs. 6.1 weeks; P = 0.02). Conclusions: This study revealed the pattern and kinetics of the time to onset and resolution of irAEs in pan-cancers, which will promote the comprehensive understanding, timely detection, and effective management of ICI-induced irAEs.

Multidisciplinary team management for high grade immune-related adverse events (irAEs): A single center experience.

e15076 Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are increasingly used in the management of cancer. High grade irAEs are uncommon but can be severe and require hospital admission. There is an urgent need for early identification and triage of patients with irAEs in order to improve their management and outcomes. Methods: We established Immunotherapy toxicity (ITOX) team as the first in nation inpatient service at DFCI and Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) along with our partners at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) that is specifically devoted to mitigating irAEs. The ITOX service is consistent of 2 PAs and a medical oncology attending with an expertise in immunotherapy. The service utilizes algorithms that are modified from the ASCO and NCCN guidelines by our medical subspecialty experts at BWH. The service uses a multi-disciplinary approach with around the hour consulting service from experts in the field including GI, pulmonary, endocrinology and others. We leveraged EPIC to triage patients who are admitted to BWH and have ever received or currently on immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). The daily list generated by EPIC is then curated manually by a PA to identify patients with potential irAEs. Results: A total of 138 patients with high grade irAEs were admitted to BWH between June 2018 and June 2019. Seventy percent of the 201 irAEs- related admissions were to ITOX service (70% accuracy in triaging). Most common irAEs was colitis (31%), pneumonitis (28%) and hepatitis (13%) which is consistent with the most common reported irAEs due to ICIs. Eighty five percent of the patients had grade 3 irAEs and 15% were admitted with life threatening grade 4 adverse events. About half of the patient had received ICI monotherapy; 33% received combination of ICI and non-ICI (chemotherapy or targeted therapy) and 17% received combination of ICIs. Most patients responded to steroids and only 9% had steroid-refractory irAEs requiring other immunosuppressive agents. The average length of stay for irAEs-related admission was 11 days with readmission rate of 26% within a year. Over 50 patients consented for tissue and blood biospecimen collection at the time of toxicity. Conclusions: We demonstrated the feasibility of empowering EMR to accurately triage patients with suspected irAEs to the ITOX service that is supported by institution developed guidelines and specialists. Our model is adaptable in major academic centers and can have major impact on quality improvement and future research studies that can be conducted in this unique setting.

Racial differences in development of immune-related adverse events.

e15148 Background: Immune-related adverse events (irAEs) due to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are caused by non-specific immune system activation and develop in 30-70% of patients. The goal of this study is to examine the association of race with the development of irAEs secondary to ICIs as autoimmune diseases generally exhibit racial differences. Methods: A retrospective chart review was done using University of Louisville pharmacy database. Patients with solid cancers who received ICIs between Jan 2016 to June 2019 were included. IrAEs were identified through the review of electronic medical records. Descriptive analysis evaluated the incidence and severity of irAEs. Multivariable logistic regression was used to calculate standardized incidence of irAEs among Whites and African Americans. Results: A total of 476 patients were included in this study. The mean age was 61 years, 57% were males and 89.7% were whites. A majority of patients had melanoma (50%). The remainder of the dataset included lung (33.4%), gastrointestinal (7.4%), head &amp; neck (4.8%), breast (2.5%) and genitourinary (1.9%) cancers. ICIs included single agent anti-PD-1 (74.8%), single agent anti-PD-L1 (9.4%), combination anti-CTLA-4 with anti-PD-1 (7.1%). Some patients were also treated with &gt; 1 ICI as subsequent therapy (8.6%). Overall, the rate of irAEs was 44.3% with 33.8% grade 1-2 and 12.4% grade 3-4 irAEs. There was no difference in development of any grade irAEs in Whites as compared to African Americans after adjusting for age, sex, cancer type and ICIs (44.3% vs 44.2%; OR: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.50 – 1.97; p = 0.99). There was also no difference in development of grade 3-4 irAEs in whites as compared to African Americans (12.8% vs 14.5%; OR: 1.16, 95% CI: 0.43 – 3.12; p = 0.75). Conclusions: In this study, we found no racial difference in the development of irAEs between Whites and African Americans. This is in contrast to general autoimmune diseases which exhibit racial differences with higher prevalence among African Americans compared to Whites. We will continue to accrue patients to this study as larger sample size is needed to confirm these findings.

Safety of Influenza Vaccine in Patients With Cancer Receiving Pembrolizumab.

There is a concern that influenza vaccination could increase the incidence of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) in patients with cancer receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors. The aim of our study was to determine the safety of influenza vaccination in this patient population. We retrospectively identified patients who received at least 1 dose of pembrolizumab during any influenza season from September 2014 to August 2017 and reviewed medical records for irAEs. The primary endpoint was the incidence of irAEs. We used multivariable logistic regression and cumulative incidence curve with competing risks for comparison. Among 162 patients with cancer included in this study, 70 patients (43.2%) received at least 1 influenza vaccination. The vaccinated group was significantly older (P = .002) and received more cycles of pembrolizumab (P = .006). The incidence of any grade irAEs in the vaccinated group trended toward being lower (25.7% v 40.2%; P = .07) compared with the nonvaccinated group. Influenza vaccination was independently associated with fewer irAEs, with an odds ratio of 0.4 (95% CI, 0.2 to 0.9; P = .03) in multivariable analyses. The vaccinated group was less likely to have irAEs compared with the nonvaccinated group (24.7% v 34.4% at 12 months; P = .05), with death as a competing risk. The median irAE-free duration in the vaccinated group was longer than the nonvaccinated group (not reached v 28 months; P = .037). Influenza vaccination in patients with cancer receiving immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy was not associated with increased irAEs. This supports the safety of influenza vaccination in this patient population.

Immune-related adverse events correlate with clinical outcomes in NSCLC patients treated with nivolumab: The Italian NSCLC expanded access program

ObjectivesThe incidence of any and of severe-grade immune-related adverse events (irAEs) with second-line nivolumab monotherapy is 31–65 % and 2–5 % respectively. While potentially serious and even fatal, in the absence of an appropriate therapy, such events might be indicators of the activation of the immune system and, potentially, of efficacy. Materials and MethodsWe collected the records of 1959 non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with nivolumab in the Italian expanded access program, and we registered the appearance of any and of severe grade irAEs. We retrospectively searched for correlations between toxicity and efficacy parameters by using Cox's regression analysis. ResultsOverall, 342 (17.8%) patients developed an irAE of any grade. We observed that patients developing irAE of any grade achieved a significantly higher response rate (RR 27.2% vs 15.2%; p < 0.0001), disease control rate (DCR 60.5% vs 40.2%; p < 0.0001), median progression-free survival (mPFS 6.0 months [95% CI 4.9–7.1] vs 3.0 [95% CI: 2.8–3.2], p < 0.0001) and median overall survival (mOS 16.7 months [95% CI: 13.5–19.9] vs 9.4 [95% CI: 8.4–10.4], p < 0.00001) compared to patients who did not. At multivariate analysis the development of an irAE remained an independent indicator of nivolumab efficacy (HR 1.44 [95% CI: 1.22–1.71] p < 0.0001). ConclusionsThis report, performed in Caucasian NSCLC patients, showed that the appearance of irAEs correlated with outcome.

Safety and efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in cancer patients with HIV, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C viral infection

sBackgroundPatients with chronic viral infections including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) are at increased risk of developing malignancies. The safety and efficacy of ICI therapy in patients with both cancer and chronic viral infections is not well established as most clinical trials of ICIs excluded these patient populations.MethodsWe performed a retrospective analysis of patients with advanced-stage cancers and HIV, HBV, or HCV infection treated with ICI therapy at 5 MedStar Health hospitals from January 2011 to April 2018.ResultsWe identified 50 patients including 16 HIV, 29 HBV/HCV, and 5 with concurrent HIV and either HBV or HCV. In the HIV cohort (n = 21), any grade immune-related adverse events (irAEs) were 24% with grade ≥ 3 irAEs 14%. Among 5 patients with matched pre/post-treatment results, no significant changes in HIV viral load and CD4+ T-cell counts were observed. RECIST confirmed (n = 18) overall response rate (ORR) was 28% with 2 complete responses (CR) and 3 partial responses (PR). Responders included 2 patients with low baseline CD4+ T-cell counts (40 and 77 cells/ul, respectively). In the HBV/HCV cohort (n = 34), any grade irAEs were 44% with grade ≥ 3 irAEs 29%. RECIST confirmed ORR was 21% (6 PR). Among the 6 patients with known pre/post-treatment viral titers (2 HCV and 4 HBV), there was no evidence of viral reactivation.ConclusionsOur retrospective series is one of the largest case series to report clinical outcomes among HIV, HBV and HCV patients treated with ICI therapy. Toxicity and efficacy rates were similar to those observed in patients without chronic viral infections. Viral reactivation was not observed. Tumor responses occurred in HIV patients with low CD4 T-cell counts. While prospective studies are needed to validate above findings, these data support not excluding such patients from ICI–based clinical trials or treatment.

Immune-related adverse events associated with immune-checkpoint inhibitors: A single center experience

Abstract Background Clinical trials have demonstrated the benefit of immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for many cancer types. With the widespread use of ICIs, we are facing challenges in the management of immune-related adverse events(irAEs). It is extremely important for physicians to be aware of early recognition and immediate treatment of irAEs. In this study, we aimed to characterize the spectrum of toxicity, management, and outcomes for irAEs. Methods Between January 2015 and December 2018, patients who were treated with at least one ICIs in clinical trials, expanded access programs or in routine practice in Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Cerrahpasa School of Medicine were included in this study. Clinical and laboratory parameters were collected retrospectively to determine the incidence of irAEs, risk factors, and their association with treatment outcomes. All irAEs were graded using the CTCAE v4.0. Results A total of 255 patients were retrospectively evaluated. Of these 71 (27.8%) patients developed irAEs. 52(73.2%) of the patients were male, 19 (26.8%) were female. All patients have ECOG performance status 0 -1. More than 2 irAEs were detected in 16 (6.2%) patients. A total of 3177 doses were given with 93 episodes of any grade irAEs. There were 22 irAEs (23.7%) 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 common among them were pneumonitis (n:15), hepatitis (n:13), hypothyroidism (n:13) and dermatitis (n:12). 3 patients were reported to develop grade 4 pneumonitis, toxic epidermal necrolysis and thrombocytopenia. There were 9 immune related deaths in our study. In 4 patients same irAEs recurred upon rechallenge of the ICIs. 39 of irAEs (41.9%) occurred after anti PD1, 47 (50.5 %) occurred after anti PDL1, 7 (7.5%) occurred after combination of anti CTLA4+ anti PDL1. Conclusion With the increased use of immunotherapeutic agents in oncology clinics, increased awareness and early recognition are required for effective management of irAEs and improved treatment outcomes. We believe that this study will have a significant impact on current and future service delivery in oncology units. Legal entity responsible for the study The authors. Funding Has not received any funding. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

Unexpected Toxicities When Nivolumab Was Given after Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation

Background:Treatment options are limited for patients (pts) with hematologic malignancies who relapse after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT). We hypothesized that checkpoint inhibitors may offer a novel approach for maintaining remission after allo-SCT. Data from pre-clinical studies have suggested a potential role for PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) (Zhang et al., Blood 2009), so it is possible that immunomodulation with checkpoint inhibitors could stimulate the donor anti-leukemia immune response and prevent disease relapse. However, the safety of checkpoint blockade early after allografting remains to be established. Methods:We conducted a pilot study to assess the tolerability and efficacy of Nivolumab, a PD-1 inhibitor, as maintenance therapy after allo-SCT (NCT02985554). Pts were eligible if they were post allo-SCT without evidence of relapse or active graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) or history of prior greater than stage I skin acute GVHD. Nivolumab was to be administered intravenously at 1mg/kg every 2 weeks for 4 doses followed by dosing every 12 weeks. Treatment started 4 weeks after routine immunosuppression was discontinued until 2 years after the transplant. The primary objective was to determine the tolerability of Nivolumab on this schedule. Secondary objectives were evaluation of adverse events, relapse, and overall survival. Results:Four pts were enrolled from December 2017 through November 2018. (Table 1)All pts experienced immune-related adverse events (irAE) from Nivolumab, and 2 (50%) pts experienced serious adverse events. (Table 2)One pt developed grade (G) 4 neutropenia soon after the first dose. (Figure 1)The absolute neutrophil count nadired at 20 cells/µL, at which point pegfilgrastim was administered. An interim bone marrow biopsy (BMBx) confirmed no evidence of relapsed disease. Full neutrophil recovery occurred approximately 3 months after the initial dose, and no subsequent toxicities occurred. Another pt developed G3 autoimmune encephalopathy concurrently with G2 transaminitis and G2 thrombocytopenia after one dose of Nivolumab. (Figure 2)Intravenous methylprednisolone (1mg/kg daily for 3 days) and immunoglobulin (2g/kg in 4 divided doses) were administered, followed by a 7-week steroid taper with full resolution of symptoms. Relapsed disease was ruled out by a BMBx. A third pt developed G2 skin rash approximately 10 days after the first dose of Nivolumab. Skin biopsy demonstrated drug hypersensitivity reaction vs GVHD, and the pt was treated with a 3-week prednisone course (starting at 1mg/kg followed by a taper). A mild flare recurred 2 weeks later, which was treated with topical steroids only. However, Nivolumab was not resumed. The fourth pt developed G2 elevated TSH approximately 2 months into therapy and after 4 doses of Nivolumab. Thyroid hormone replacement was initiated with subsequent symptom improvement and normalization of TSH over a 4-month period. As a result of these unexpected severe toxicities, the study was closed to further enrollment, and further Nivolumab administration ceased. Thus far, one pt (#1) relapsed after a total remission duration of 530 days; the remission duration after starting Nivolumab was 318 days. One pt has mild chronic skin GVHD. All 4 patients remain alive with a median overall survival of 2.3 years (range, 1.9-4.7). Conclusions:Even at low doses, the use of Nivolumab as maintenance therapy in the post allo-SCT setting was not tolerable at the current dosing and schedule due to an unexpected number of high grade irAEs. Additional studies of dose and timing after allo-SCT are needed to improve safety and tolerability, in conjunction with correlative studies to better understand the immunomodulatory processes in the post-transplant setting. Disclosures Kline: Merck: Honoraria; Merck: Research Funding. Stock:Kite, a Gilead Company: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Daiichi: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Astellas: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Agios: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; UpToDate: Honoraria; Research to Practice: Honoraria. Artz:Miltenyi: Research Funding. Larson:Agios: Consultancy; Novartis: Honoraria, Other: Contracts for clinical trials; Celgene: Consultancy. Riedell:Novartis: Research Funding; Verastem: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Bayer: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Kite/Gilead: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Bishop:CRISPR Therapeutics: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Kite: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Juno: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Liu:Arog: Other: PI of clinical trial; BMS: Research Funding; Agios: Honoraria; Novartis: Other: PI of clinical trial; Karyopharm: Research Funding. OffLabel Disclosure: Nivolumab used as maintenance therapy in the post-transplant setting

Abstract 3230: Safety and efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in patients with HIV, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C viral infections

Abstract Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have become standard of care for many malignancies. However, patients (pts) with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B (HBV), and hepatitis C (HCV) were excluded from many clinical trials. Therefore, the safety and efficacy of ICI therapy in these patient populations is not well characterized. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of pts with HIV, HBV, or HCV treated with ICI therapy at five MedStar Health hospitals from January 2011 to April 2018. The incidence of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) per CTCAE4.03, objective response rate (ORR) per RECIST v1.1, changes in viral status and CD4 T-cell counts during treatment were analyzed. Results: A total of 50 pts were identified; (21 HIV, 4 HIV/HCV, 1 HIV/HBV, 15 HBV, 22 HCV, and 3 HBV/HCV) treated with anti-PD-(L)1 monotherapy (43) or in combination with ipilimumab (1) or chemotherapy (6). In the HIV group (21), the median age was 62 (29-85), 52% were male, 33% white, and 67% African American (AA). Tumor types included non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC; n=12), Hodgkin’s lymphoma and anal carcinoma (2 each), head and neck cancer, colorectal cancer, renal cell carcinoma (RCC), Burkitt’s lymphoma, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (one each). Any grade irAEs was 24% (5), and grade ≥ 3 irAEs was 10% (hepatitis and pneumonitis). Four pts had elevated HIV viral loads at baseline; 2 of 2 assessed had decreased levels after starting ICI therapy without changes in their antiretroviral therapy. Nine pts maintained an undetectable HIV viral load during ICI therapy. CD4 T-cell counts improved in 5 pts and decreased in 6 pts during ICI therapy. The ORR in response-evaluable pts for the entire group (16) was 25% (1 CR, 3 PR, 4 SD, and 8 PD). In the HBV/HCV cohort (34), median age was 62 (37-77), 71% were male, 24% white, and 50% AA. Tumor types included HCC (16), NSCLC (10), RCC (3), and head &amp; neck, gastric and small cell lung cancer, one each. Any grade irAEs were noted in 50% (17) and grade ≥3 in 26% [colitis (2), hepatitis (3), pneumonitis, diabetic ketoacidosis, neurological weakness and rash, one each]. Of 15 HBV pts, 4 pts had detectable, and 8 pts had undetectable viral load before initiation of ICI. Among 4 pts with detectable viral load, no transaminitis was observed. Of 22 HCV pts, 9 were previously treated, 11 were untreated and no data available in 2. Among 4 pts with pre- and post-viral loads, 2 untreated pts’ viral loads showed small improvement and other 2 previously treated pts’ viral loads remained undetectable. The ORR in response-evaluable pts for the entire group (27) was 22% (6 PR, 7 SD, and 14 PD) and HCC pts (13) treated with anti-PD-(L)1 monotherapy was 23% (3 PR, 3 SD, and 7 PD). Conclusion: ICI therapy was not associated with any new safety signal in pts with HIV, HBV, or HCV infection with no evidence of viral reactivation. Prospective trials are needed to validate the above findings. Citation Format: Neil J. Shah, Ghassan AL-Shbool, Matthew Blackburn, Michael Cook, William J. Kelly, Anas Belouali, Sebastian Ochoa, Bradley S. Colton, Jeevan Puthiamadathil, Michael T. Serzan, Alice R. Knoedler, Stephen V. Liu, Michael J. Pishvaian, Mahsa Mohebtash, Subha Madhavan, Aiwu R. He, Michael B. Atkins, Geoffrey T. Gibney, Chul Kim. Safety and efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in patients with HIV, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C viral infections [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3230.

Abstract 2822: Low intestinal microbial diversity is associated with severe immune-related adverse events and lack of response to neoadjuvant combination antiPD1, anti-CTLA4 immunotherapy

Abstract Background: Immunotherapies targeting PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA4 have revolutionized the treatment of advanced melanoma. Combining the two therapeutics increases the response rates compared to either treatment alone. However, this increased efficacy is accompanied by a higher incidence of severe immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Metrics of the intestinal microbiome are associated with cancer patients’ responses to immunotherapy but the value of microbiome metrics as predictors for irAEs, are unknown. In an effort to reduce irAEs during combination neoadjuvant therapy, the OpACIN-neo trial (Rozeman et al. ESMO 2018) was initiated wherein Stage III melanoma patients were treated with 2 doses each of ipilimumab and nivolumab in the neoadjuvant setting, according to three dosing regimen. Involved lymph nodes were resected after 6 weeks. Aims: (1) To determine whether intestinal microbial components are associated with response to antiPD1/anti-CTLA4 immunotherapy in the neoadjuvant setting or with the development of severe irAEs. (2) To determine the effects of antiPD1/anti-CTLA4 immunotherapy on the microbiome over the 6 week course of treatment. Methods: Of Melanoma Institute Australia patients enrolled in the OpACIN-neo trial (n=38), 68% of patients experienced complete, or near complete pathological responses and 61% experienced at least one irAE of grade 3 or more. Faecal microbiomes at baseline, and at resection (6 weeks immunotherapy), were analyzed using 16S ribosomal gene and metagenomic sequencing and the results compared with patient response and development of G3-G5 irAEs. Results: In baseline samples, Inverse Simpson’s diversity index indicated significantly lower overall microbial diversity in non-responders (p=.014), as well as those who went on to experience severe irAEs (p=.002). Importantly, the group of patients who were both non-responders and experienced severe irAEs had the lowest microbial diversity of all patients (p=.0033). Specific taxa associated with irAEs are distinct from those described for response. The 6 week course of immunotherapy led to a slight increase in microbial diversity but few specific taxa were observed to be significantly altered between the timepoints. Conclusions: The findings suggest that not only are patients with extremely low microbial diversity predisposed to develop severe irAEs but they are also unlikely to respond to combination immunotherapy. Thus, microbial diversity may delineate patients who are likely to have poor outcomes and would benefit from microbial modulation. Citation Format: Marcel Batten, Erin R. Shanahan, Ines P. Silva, Chandra Adhikari, Jordan Conway, Annie Tasker, Alexander M. Menzies, James S. Wilmott, Robyn P. Saw, Andrew J. Spillane, Kerwin F. Shannon, Christian U. Blank, Andrew J. Holmes, Richard A. Scolyer, Georgina V. Long. Low intestinal microbial diversity is associated with severe immune-related adverse events and lack of response to neoadjuvant combination antiPD1, anti-CTLA4 immunotherapy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 2822.

Immune-related adverse events associated with programmed cell death protein-1 and programmed cell death ligand 1 inhibitors for non-small cell lung cancer: a PRISMA systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundProgrammed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) and programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors have remarkable clinical efficacy in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); however, the breakdown of immune escape causes a variety of immune-related adverse events (irAEs). With the increasing use of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors alone or in combination with other therapies, awareness and management of irAEs have become more important. We aimed to assess the incidence and nature of irAEs associated with PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors for NSCLC.MethodsArticles from the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were searched through December 2017. The incidence of overall and organ-specific irAEs was investigated in all clinical trials with nivolumab, pembrolizumab, atezolimumab, durvalumab, and avelumab as single agents for treatment of NSCLC. We calculated the pooled incidence using R software with package Meta.ResultsSixteen trials were included in the meta-analysis: 10 trials with PD-1 inhibitors (3734 patients) and 6 trials with PD-L1 inhibitors (2474 patients). The overall incidence of irAEs was 22% (95% confidence interval [CI], 17–28) for all grades and 4% (95% CI, 2–6) for high-grade irAEs. The frequency of irAEs varied based on drug type and organ, and patients treated with PD-1 inhibitors had an increased rate of any grade and high-grade irAEs compared with patients who received PD-L1 inhibitors. Organ-specific irAEs were most frequently observed in, in decreasing order, the endocrine system, skin, pulmonary tract, and gastrointestinal tract. The total number of patients whose death was attributed to irAEs was 14 (0.34%), and most (79%) of these patients died because of pneumonitis. The median time to the onset of irAEs after the initiation of treatment was 10 weeks (interquartile range, 6–19.5 weeks) and varied depending on the organ system involved.ConclusionsThe specificity of irAEs was closely associated with the mechanism of PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies involved in restarting anticancer immune attacks. Comprehensive understanding, timely detection, and effective management could improve the compliance of patients and guide the interruption of treatment.