Programmed Death-1 Inhibitors Nivolumab Research Articles

Efficacy and safety of nivolumab and trabectedin in pretreated patients with advanced soft tissue sarcomas (STS): Results of a phase II trial of the German Interdisciplinary Sarcoma Group (GISG-15, NitraSarc).

11500 Background: Programmed death-1 (PD-1) inhibitors alone have modest activity in the treatment of most STS. A possible synergistic effect of combined trabectedin with PD-1 inhibitor nivolumab has been previously reported. Herein we evaluated the efficacy and safety of trabectedin plus nivolumab as a second-line treatment of patients with anthracycline-pretreated metastatic or inoperable STS. Methods: The prospective, explorative, two-group, non-randomized phase II NiTraSarc trial enrolled patients with advanced lipo- or leiomyosarcomas (Group A; GA) or with non-L-sarcomas (Group B; GB). Patients were initially treated with 3 cycles of trabectedin 1.5 mg/m2, followed by the combination of trabectedin 1.5 mg/m2 plus nivolumab 240 mg in a so-called “late combination cohort” (LCC) for up to 16 cycles. After positive results of a preplanned interim analysis, patients received the combination therapy already starting from Cycle 2 in an “early combination cohort” (ECC). Primary efficacy endpoint was progression-free survival rate after 6 months (PFSR6) according to RECIST v.1.1. A central pathological assessment (CPA) was done from tumor specimen from all patients. Updated results according to cpa are presented. Results: A total of 92 patients were recruited in the trial: 43 patients in GA and 49 in GB. In GA, 28 patients (63%) had leiomyosarcoma and 15 (37%) had liposarcoma. Most common sarcoma types in GB were pleomorphic (n = 12), spindle cell (n = 11), fibromyxoid (n = 6), synovial (n = 5) and epithelial (n = 4) sarcoma. After median follow up of 16.6 months, overall PFSR6 as per CPA in GA was 47.6% (60% in LCC vs 36.4% in ECC) and 14.6% in GB. Median PFS was numerically higher in GA compared to GB (5.5 vs 2.3 months) and even longer in LCC vs ECC (9.8 vs 4.4 months). Median overall survival was more than three times longer in GA vs GB (18.7 vs 5.6 months) and, again, longer in LCC vs ECC (24.6 vs 13.9 months). Safety trabectedin and nivolumab was consistent with the safety profiles of each drug alone with no relevant new findings for the combination or between LCC and ECC. Conclusions: Our study confirms the activity of trabectedin plus nivolumab, particularly in patients with lipo- or leiomyosarcomas. There is a significant difference between ECC and LCC in terms of PFSR6, PFS and OS. The results in patients with non-L-sarcomas do not justify further investigation of this combination. Clinical trial information: NCT03590210 .

Clinical Efficacy of PD-1 Inhibitors Plus Split-Course Radiotherapy in the First-Line Treatment of Advanced Kidney Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective To assess the clinical efficacy of programmed death 1 (PD-1) inhibitors plus split-course radiotherapy in the first-line treatment of advanced kidney cancer. Methods In this prospective, randomized, single-blinded, controlled trial, 44 patients with advanced kidney cancer initially treated in our hospital from January 2017 to December 2018 were recruited. They were concurrently and randomly assigned at a ratio of 1 : 1 to the control group and the study group, with 22 cases in each group. The control group received PD-1 inhibitor nivolumab combined with ipilimumab, and the study group received split-course radiotherapy plus. The primary endpoint is clinical efficacy, and the secondary endpoints are progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and adverse events (AEs). Results Nivolumab plus split-course radiotherapy was associated with an objective remission rate (ORR) of 59.09% versus nivolumab alone with an ORR of 27.27%. The median PFS was 21.5 months (95% CI: 14.1—NA) after single nivolumab therapy and 28.1 months (95% CI: 24.5—NA) after nivolumab plus split-course radiotherapy, with an HR of 1.875 (95% CI: 0.877–4.011). The median OS was 27.1 months (95% CI: 20.7—NA) after single nivolumab therapy and not reached after nivolumab plus split-course radiotherapy and an HR of 2.56 (95% CI: 1.081–6.06). Nivolumab was associated with significantly better OS plus split-course radiotherapy versus nivolumab alone. Conclusion Nivolumab plus split-course radiotherapy in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma significantly improves ORR and prolongs overall survival with a good safety profile.

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Related Pulmonary Toxicity: Focus on Nivolumab.

The development of checkpoint inhibitors has changed the treatment paradigm for cancer. Checkpoint inhibitors nivolumab, pembrolizumab, and cemiplimab target programmed death-1 (PD-1), whereas durvalumab, avelumab, and atezolizumab target PD-ligand 1. Ipilimumab targets cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4. Used as monotherapy or in combination, these inhibitors have shown remarkable efficacy in melanoma, lung cancer, urothelial cancer, and many other solid tumors, and indications are continuing to evolve. Checkpoint inhibitors are well tolerated when compared with traditional chemotherapy. The major adverse effect profiles are idiosyncratic immune-mediated toxicities resulting from the abnormal activation of autoreactive T cells, which can lead to inflammation in any organ system. The most commonly affected organs are bowel, lung, skin, and endocrine. Pulmonary toxicity is important to recognize, and it can be more challenging to diagnose in lung cancer patients, given the nature of the disease course and treatment. This review article focuses on all of the pulmonary adverse effects of a single PD-1 inhibitor (nivolumab) that have been described in the literature. These complications include dyspnea, pneumonitis, pleural effusion, pulmonary sarcoidosis, pulmonary tuberculosis, acute fibrinous organizing pneumonia, organizing pneumonia, eosinophilic pneumonia, adult respiratory distress syndrome, and lung cavitation. Clinicians must be aware of these toxicities and mindful when prescribing these medications in patients with known lung dysfunction due to chronic lung diseases or lung cancer.

Incidence and Risk of Colitis With Programmed Death 1 Versus Programmed Death Ligand 1 Inhibitors for the Treatment of Cancer

Colitis is a major immune-related adverse event associated with programmed death 1 (PD-1) and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors, but the risk of colitis with PD-1 versus PD-L1 inhibitors is not well characterized. We performed a meta-analysis for the incidence of all grade and grade 3-4 colitis with PD-1 inhibitor (nivolumab, pembrolizumab, and cemiplimab) or PD-L1 inhibitor (atezolizumab, avelumab, and durvalumab) monotherapy using a fixed effects model. We also conducted subgroup meta-analyses of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) or urothelial carcinoma (UC) trials, and a network meta-analysis of randomized trials comparing PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitors with docetaxel for NSCLC. We also analyzed the Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System database to estimate the reporting odds ratio of each medication. PD-1 inhibitors were associated with a higher incidence of all grade and grade 3-4 colitis compared with PD-L1 inhibitors in the analysis of all cancer types [1.49% vs. 0.83%, relative risk; 1.80, 95% confidence interval (CI); 1.22-2.67 for all grade colitis, and 0.85% vs. 0.34%, relative risk; 2.52, 95% CI; 1.46-4.37 for grade 3-4 colitis]. The meta-analyses of NSCLC and UC trials, and the network meta-analysis of NSCLC trials were also suggestive of a higher risk of colitis with PD-1 versus PD-L1 inhibitors. The reporting odds ratio of colitis with PD-1 versus PD-L1 inhibitors was 1.80 (95% CI; 1.53-2.14). In this meta-analysis of clinical trials exploring PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors in solid tumors, PD-1 inhibitors were associated with a higher risk of colitis.

Hodgkin’s Lymphoma- a Review: Future Directions in the Era of Targeted Therapy

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is a unique hematopoietic neoplasm characterized by cancerous Reed-Sternberg cells in an inflammatory background. Patients are commonly diagnosed in their 20s with a small proportion of patients in their 70s. Patients usually present with supra-diaphragmatic lymphadenopathy with or without associated systemic B symptoms. Even in advanced disease, HL is highly curable with combination chemotherapy, or combined-modality treatment. Although the same doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD) chemotherapeutic regimen has been the mainstay of therapy over the last 30 years, risk-adapted approaches have helped de-escalate therapy in low-risk patients while intensifying treatment for higher risk patients. Limited stage disease without risk factors (RFs), are frequently treated with two cycles of doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine and dacarbazine (ABVD) followed by 20Gy involved-field or -site radiotherapy (IF/IS-RT). In patients with early-stage unfavorable disease, four cycles of chemotherapy are usually consolidated with 30Gy IF/IS-RT. Compared to 4xABVD, 2 cycles of escalated BEACOPP followed by 2 cycles of ABVD ("2+2") improved 5-year progression-free survival with similar 5-year overall survival. Recently, treatment strategies based on 18FDG positron emission tomography response were evaluated. PET-guided omission of RT can constitute a valid therapeutic option in patients with an increased risk of RT-associated toxicity. There are an increasing number of salvage therapies available to patients who are not cured with initial therapy. These include alternative chemotherapy combinations, the novel antibody-drug conjugate brentuximab, or high-dose autologous or allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The programmed death-1 inhibitors nivolumab and pembrolizumab have both demonstrated high response rates and durable remissions in patients with relapsed/refractory HL.

Incidence and risk of colitis with programmed death-1 versus programmed death-ligand 1 inhibitors for the treatment of cancer.

e15087 Background: Programmed death 1 (PD-1) inhibitors and Programmed Death-Ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors are immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) approved for treatment of several different cancers. Colitis is a major immune-related adverse event associated with ICIs, but the risk of colitis with PD-1 versus PD-L1 inhibitors is not well characterized. Methods: We performed a meta-analysis for the incidence of all grade and grade 3-4 colitis with PD-1 inhibitor (nivolumab, pembrolizumab, and cemiplimab) or PD-L1 inhibitor (atezolizumab, avelumab, and durvalumab) monotherapy using a fixed effects model. We also conducted subgroup meta-analyses of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) or urothelial carcinoma (UC) trials, and a network meta-analysis of randomized trials comparing PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitors with docetaxel for NSCLC. We analyzed Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database to estimate the reporting odds ratio (ROR) of each medication, which provides the estimated relative risk most valid in spontaneous report database. Results: We identified 88 studies that met inclusion for the analysis. PD-1 inhibitors were associated with higher incidence of all grade and grade 3-4 colitis compared to PD-L1 inhibitors in the analysis of all cancer types (1.49% vs 0.83%, relative risk (RR); 1.80, 95% confidence interval (CI); 1.22-2.67 for all grade colitis, and 0.85% vs 0.34%, RR; 2.52, 95% CI; 1.46-4.37 for grade 3-4 colitis). The meta-analyses on NSCLC and UC, and the network meta-analysis on NSCLC also showed the tendency that PD-1 inhibitors are associated with higher risk of all grade and grade 3-4 colitis, though only the analysis on UC for all grade colitis showed a significant difference. (1.95% vs 0.64%, RR; 3.05, 95% CI; 1.18 - 7.88) Retrospective analysis showed ROR of 16.78 (95% CI; 15.8-17.8) for PD-1 inhibitors, and 12.93 (95% CI; 10.74-15.42) for PD-L1 inhibitors. We found that ROR of PD-1inhibitors was 1.17 (95% CI; 0.97-1.43) compared to PD-L1 inhibitors. Conclusions: Our study showed that PD-1 inhibitors have higher risk of colitis than PD-L1 inhibitors.

Review of Indications of FDA-Approved Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors per NCCN Guidelines with the Level of Evidence.

Cancer is associated with higher morbidity and mortality and is the second leading cause of death in the US. Further, in some nations, cancer has overtaken heart disease as the leading cause of mortality. Identification of molecular mechanisms by which cancerous cells evade T cell-mediated cytotoxic damage has led to the modern era of immunotherapy in cancer treatment. Agents that release these immune brakes have shown activity to recover dysfunctional T cells and regress various cancer. Both cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) and Programmed Death-1 (PD-1) play their role as physiologic brakes on unrestrained cytotoxic T effector function. CTLA-4 (CD 152) is a B7/CD28 family; it mediates immunosuppression by indirectly diminishing signaling through the co-stimulatory receptor CD28. Ipilimumab is the first and only FDA-approved CTLA-4 inhibitor; PD-1 is an inhibitory transmembrane protein expressed on T cells, B cells, Natural Killer cells (NKs), and Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells (MDSCs). Programmed Death-Ligand 1 (PD-L1) is expressed on the surface of multiple tissue types, including many tumor cells and hematopoietic cells. PD-L2 is more restricted to hematopoietic cells. Blockade of the PD-1 /PDL-1 pathway can enhance anti-tumor T cell reactivity and promotes immune control over the cancerous cells. Since the FDA approval of ipilimumab (human IgG1 k anti-CTLA-4 monoclonal antibody) in 2011, six more immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been approved for cancer therapy. PD-1 inhibitors nivolumab, pembrolizumab, cemiplimab and PD-L1 inhibitors atezolizumab, avelumab, and durvalumab are in the current list of the approved agents in addition to ipilimumab. In this review paper, we discuss the role of each immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI), the landmark trials which led to their FDA approval, and the strength of the evidence per National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), which is broadly utilized by medical oncologists and hematologists in their daily practice.

Nivolumab (NIVO) + ipilimumab (IPI) + cabozantinib (CABO) combination therapy in patients (pts) with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (aHCC): Results from CheckMate 040.

478 Background: The programmed death-1 inhibitor NIVO had durable responses and a manageable safety profile in pts with aHCC in CheckMate 040 (NCT01658878; El-Khoueiry et al. Lancet 2017) and is approved in the United States, Canada, Australia, and elsewhere for sorafenib (SOR)-treated pts with aHCC. In another CheckMate 040 cohort, NIVO + IPI combination therapy had durable responses in SOR-treated pts with aHCC, with objective response rates (ORRs) > 30% in each dosing arm (Yau et al. J Clin Oncol 2019). CABO is also approved for SOR-treated pts with aHCC; a pivotal phase 3 trial reported median overall survival (OS) of 10.2 mo (Abou-Alfa et al. N Engl J Med 2018). This is the first report of efficacy and safety of NIVO + CABO +/- IPI (doublet and triplet) combinations in pts with aHCC. Methods: SOR-naive or -experienced pts with aHCC were randomized to 2 arms: [1] NIVO 240 mg Q2W + CABO 40 mg daily or [2] NIVO 3 mg/kg Q2W + IPI 1 mg/kg Q6W + CABO 40 mg daily. Treatment continued until intolerable toxicity or disease progression. Primary endpoints included ORR (investigator assessed using RECIST v1.1) and safety/tolerability. Data cutoff was January 2019. Results: 71 pts were randomized to NIVO + CABO (n = 36) or NIVO + IPI + CABO (n = 35). Investigator-assessed ORR was 17% (6 pts with partial response [PR]) in the NIVO + CABO arm and 26% (9 pts with PR) in the NIVO + IPI + CABO arm. Disease control rate was 81% for the NIVO + CABO arm and 83% for the NIVO + IPI + CABO arm; median progression-free survival was 5.5 mo for the NIVO + CABO arm and 6.8 mo for the NIVO + IPI + CABO arm. Median OS was not reached in either arm. Grade 3-4 treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were reported in 15 pts (42%) in the NIVO + CABO arm and 25 pts (71%) in the NIVO + IPI + CABO arm and led to discontinuation in 1 (3%) and 7 (20%) pts, respectively. No new safety signals were observed in either arm. Updated data describing the efficacy and safety of the combinations will be shown. Conclusions: In pts with aHCC, NIVO + CABO +/- IPI combination therapy led to clinically meaningful responses. Although the triplet had a higher rate of TRAEs observed than the doublet regimen, the majority of AEs were manageable and reversible. Clinical trial information: NCT01658878.

Thyroid disorders in programmed death 1 inhibitor-treated patients: Is previous therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors a predisposing factor?

Programmed death 1 (PD-1) inhibitors are frequently associated with thyroid-related adverse events (TAEs), but many aspects remain unclear. This study aims to evaluate the incidence and characteristics of such events and to find any predictive factor for its development. We retrospectively analysed data from patients with advanced solid tumours (non-small-cell lung carcinoma, renal cell carcinoma, metastatic melanoma) treated with PD-1 inhibitors (nivolumab, pembrolizumab) in Oncology Unit B, Policlinico Umberto I of Rome, from June 2015 to December 2018. All patients underwent baseline thyroid function evaluations repeated monthly. The cohort consisted of 126 patients (66.7% male, mean age 66.4±9.7years). One hundred and seven received nivolumab and 19 pembrolizumab. Twenty-three per cent of patients experienced TAEs (mainly CTCAE grade 1), with hypothyroidism in 15.1% (subclinical: 11.9%, overt: 3.2%) and hyperthyroidism in 8.0% (subclinical: 4.8%, overt: 3.2%). Median time to TAE onset was 8.7±6.8weeks (10.4±7.6weeks for hypothyroidism, 5.4±3.0weeks for hyperthyroidism). Most TAEs (89.7%) appeared within the first 3months, none after 8months. Most hypothyroid patients (63.2%) had previously been treated with a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). Logistic regression analysis showed that pretreatment with a TKI was a major predisposing factor for the development of hypothyroidism (OR 9.2, 95% CI: 1.4-59.9, P=.020). TAEs are common during anti-PD-1 therapy and usually occur within the first 3months of treatment. This is the first study evaluating the impact of previous oncologic therapies on TAEs, identifying TKI as a major risk factor for the development of hypothyroidism in patients treated with anti-PD-1.

Immune-related Adverse Effects Associated with Programmed Death-1 Inhibitor Therapy in the Treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Incidence, Management, and Effect on Outcomes.

The programmed death 1 (PD-1) inhibitors may improve survival outcomes of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients but are associated with immune-related adverse effects (IRAEs). Management of IRAEs may include immunosuppression (ie, corticosteroids), but there is concern that this may affect efficacy. This study evaluated the influence of IRAEs and immunosuppression for IRAEs on survival outcomes of NSCLC patients treated with PD-1 inhibitors (pembrolizumab and nivolumab). We retrospectively examined data from Kaiser Permanente Southern and Northern California members diagnosed with NSCLC who received a PD-1 inhibitor from March 1, 2011 to September 30, 2016. Our primary goal was to evaluate the effects and management of IRAEs on survival with PD-1 inhibitors. Electronic database records were used to identify the occurrence of IRAEs, medication utilization, and death. Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate variables for association with increased risk of death. A total of 662 patients were included in the study (median age = 68 years) (interquartile range 61-74). IRAEs were identified in 18% of patients, of which 62% received immunosuppression. Median overall survival was 10 months (interquartile range = 4 months to not reached). Adjusting for covariates, use of immunosuppression during PD-1 inhibitor treatment was not associated with a significantly higher risk of death (hazard ratio = 1.04, 95% confidence interval = 0.84-1.29), whereas corticosteroid use before initiating PD-1 inhibitor therapy was (hazard ratio = 1.48, 95% confidence interval = 1.14-1.91). In a large, real-world cohort from an integrated healthcare system, use of corticosteroids prior to PD-1 inhibitors was associated with worse survival outcomes, whereas concomitant treatment was not.

Prognostic Impact and Risk Factors of Immune-Related Pneumonitis in Patients With Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer Who Received Programmed Death 1 Inhibitors

IntroductionPneumonitis is one of the immune-related adverse events of programmed death 1 (PD-1) inhibitors that sometimes cause lethal outcomes. Although some recent reports have described PD-1 inhibitors as more effective in non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with immune-related adverse events than in those without, few data are available on the prognosis of those treated with PD-1 inhibitors who developed immune-related pneumonitis (IRP). Additionally, the robust risk factors of IRP have not been well elucidated. Patients and MethodsA retrospective review of patients with recurrent or advanced NSCLC who took a PD-1 inhibitor (nivolumab or pembrolizumab monotherapy) between January 2016 and March 2018 was undertaken. Radiologic findings such as unilateral infiltration were also defined as IRP as long as they were deemed relevant to PD-1 inhibitors. ResultsTwenty-seven (16%) of 170 patients developed IRP. Although 22 (81%) of 27 patients with IRP recovered with drug cessation with or without corticosteroid therapy, 8-week landmark analysis showed the overall survival after administration of the PD-1 inhibitor was significantly shorter in patients with IRP than in those without (8.7 vs. 23.0 months, P = .015). Patients with IRP tended to not receive next-line treatment and choose best supportive care after cessation of PD-1 inhibitor therapy. In the multivariate analysis, pembrolizumab (vs. nivolumab) and low serum albumin were independent risk factors for IRP. ConclusionDevelopment of IRP was correlated with poor prognosis in patients with NSCLC. Further study is necessary for establishing the best prediction and management strategies for IRP.

One case of type 1 diabetes caused by PD-1 inhibitor and literature review

This article reported a case of type 1 diabetes caused by a programmed death-1 (PD-1) inhibitor. The patient was a 52-year-old man with metastatic renal cell carcinoma who received the combined therapy of PD-1 inhibitor Nivolumab and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor Bevacizumab. He presented with thirst, polydipsia, polyuria, repeated vomiting, and fatigue 9 weeks after initiation of the therapy and developed into diabetic ketoacidosis about 2 weeks later, with blood glucose 50.9 mmol/L, HbA1C8.4%, serum fasted and glucose-loaded C peptide <0.01 ng/ml, arginine test negative, and autoantibodies negative. The patient was diagnosed as type 1 diabetes caused by the PD-1 inhibitor and was given intensive glucose lowering treatment with insulin, his water and electrolyte disorders were also corrected. His symptoms improved but he had to continue insulin treatment. It is recommended to check baseline glucose level prior to the initiation of treatment with PD-1 inhibitor, and should carefully monitor the clinical symptoms and glucose levels during the treatment. Timely detection, correct diagnosis and treatment are important to ensure patients′ safety and to improve their prognosis. Key words: PD-1 inhibitor; Diabetes mellitus, type 1

1739-P: Checking the Checkpoints: A Case of Type 1 Diabetes following PD-1 Inhibition in a Patient with HIV

Introduction: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a known immune related adverse event (irAE) following treatment with Programmed Death 1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibitors with reported 0.9% incidence. Little is known about such irAEs in individuals with HIV treated with PD-1 inhibitors. Case: A 48-year-old man with HIV on HAART, diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, initiated PD-1 inhibitor nivolumab. After 6 months, he reported polydipsia and polyuria. Labs revealed glucose 764 mg/dl and A1c 7.1%. Low C-peptide and elevated GAD-65 antibody levels confirmed T1DM, and he started insulin therapy. Nivolumab continued for 12 more months. Despite discontinuation of nivolumab, he remains on insulin therapy. Discussion: While A1c may reflect average glycemia, it alone cannot distinguish T2DM from T1DM progression. C-peptide and autoantibodies for T1DM must be included when screening patients on PD-1 inhibitors. Patients with HIV have higher autoantibody titers in active disease states or following HAART initiation, as seen in immune reconstitution. Moreover, in vitro PD-1 inhibition elevates HIV cell proliferation and immune hyperactivity. The challenge in patients with HIV on HAART and PD-1 inhibitors is unraveling whether autoantibody generation resulting in T1DM is potentiated by pre-existing HIV on HAART and/or provoked by immune response to PD-1 inhibition. Conclusion: Clinicians treating patients with immune checkpoint inhibitors should maintain a high index of suspicion for development of autoimmune disorders. Literature on the use of PD-1 inhibitors in HIV patients is limited and warrants further investigation. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of T1DM following PD-1 inhibition in a patient with HIV on HAART therapy. Such patients are predisposed to immune reconstitution, and response to PD-1 inhibition may potentiate risk for autoimmune complications. Therefore, higher clinical suspicion for irAEs is merited in patients with HIV on PD-1 inhibitors. Disclosure M.S. Hughes: None. S. Bedrose: None. M. Vasudevan: None. M. Marcelli: None.

PD-1 Inhibitors-Related Neurological Toxicities in Patients with Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: A Literature Review.

The advent of immune checkpoint inhibitors gave rise to a new era in oncology and general medicine. The increasing use of programmed death-1 (PD-1) inhibitors in non-small cell lung cancer and in other malignancies means clinicians have to face up to new challenges in managing immune-related adverse events (irAEs), which often resemble autoimmune diseases. Neurological irAEs represent an emerging toxicity related to immunotherapy, and it is mandatory to know how to monitor, recognize, and manage them, since they can rapidly lead to patient death if untreated. Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of these irAEs have been recently published but sharing some of the most unusual clinical cases is crucial, in our opinion, to improve awareness and to optimize the approach for these patients. A literature review on the diagnosis and treatment of immune-related neurotoxicity’s has been conducted starting from the report of four cases of neurological irAEs regarding cases of polyneuropathy, myasthenia gravis, Bell’s palsy, and encephalopathy, all of which occurred in oncological patients receiving PD-1 inhibitors (pembrolizumab and nivolumab) for the treatment of non-oncogene addicted advanced non-small cell lung cancer. The exclusion of other differential diagnoses and the correlation between the suspension of immunotherapy and improvement of symptoms suggest that immunotherapy could be the cause of the neurological disorders reported.

Neoadjuvant PD-1 Blockade in Resectable Lung Cancer

BackgroundAntibodies that block programmed death 1 (PD-1) protein improve survival in patients with advanced non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) but have not been tested in resectable NSCLC, a condition in which little progress has been made during the past decade.MethodsIn this pilot study, we administered two preoperative doses of PD-1 inhibitor nivolumab in adults with untreated, surgically resectable early (stage I, II, or IIIA) NSCLC. Nivolumab (at a dose of 3 mg per kilogram of body weight) was administered intravenously every 2 weeks, with surgery planned approximately 4 weeks after the first dose. The primary end points of the study were safety and feasibility. We also evaluated the tumor pathological response, expression of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1), mutational burden, and mutation-associated, neoantigen-specific T-cell responses.ResultsNeoadjuvant nivolumab had an acceptable side-effect profile and was not associated with delays in surgery. Of the 21 tumors that were removed, 20 were completely resected. A major pathological response occurred in 9 of 20 resected tumors (45%). Responses occurred in both PD-L1–positive and PD-L1–negative tumors. There was a significant correlation between the pathological response and the pretreatment tumor mutational burden. The number of T-cell clones that were found in both the tumor and peripheral blood increased systemically after PD-1 blockade in eight of nine patients who were evaluated. Mutation-associated, neoantigen-specific T-cell clones from a primary tumor with a complete response on pathological assessment rapidly expanded in peripheral blood at 2 to 4 weeks after treatment; some of these clones were not detected before the administration of nivolumab.ConclusionsNeoadjuvant nivolumab was associated with few side effects, did not delay surgery, and induced a major pathological response in 45% of resected tumors. The tumor mutational burden was predictive of the pathological response to PD-1 blockade. Treatment induced expansion of mutation-associated, neoantigen-specific T-cell clones in peripheral blood. (Funded by Cancer Research Institute–Stand Up 2 Cancer and others; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02259621.)

The effectiveness of PD-1 inhibitors in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients of different ages.

BackgroundImmunosenescence, the age-related decline of immunity, affects the immune responses of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Through immune responses, programmed death-1 (PD-1) inhibitors exert their antitumor robustness. In different ages of NSCLC patients, especially the older patients, the effectiveness of PD-1 inhibitors remains unclear. It is still controversial whether pembrolizumab or nivolumab should be used in treating NSCLC patients.Results2,192 NSCLC patients from four phase III RCTs were included. PD-1 inhibitors significantly prolonged the OS in both younger group (<65-year-age) (HR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.54–0.75, P = 0.000) and older group (≥65-year-age) (HR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.54–0.81, P = 0.001) than chemotherapy. Among patients aged over 75, no significantly longer OS was observed (HR: 1.02, 95% CI: 0.35–1.69, P = 0.971) than controls. In the older group (≥65-year-age), HR of OS favors nivolumab rather than pembrolizumab.ConclusionsAmong patients aged over 75, no significantly prolonged overall survival was observed compared with chemotherapy. In comparison with pembrolizumab, nivolumab was associated with better OS in older NSCLC patients (≥65-year-age), and better PFS in all NSCLC patients. Older patients, especially those aged over 75, should be paid more attention to in the future clinical trials, guidelines, and clinical practice.MethodsThe authors included clinical trials testing PD-1 inhibitors (nivolumab and pembrolizumab) compared with chemotherapies in older and younger patients. The authors used the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS).

Hodgkin lymphoma: A review and update on recent progress.

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is a unique hematopoietic neoplasm characterized by cancerous Reed-Sternberg cells in an inflammatory background. Patients are commonly diagnosed with HL in their 20s and 30s, and they present with supradiaphragmatic lymphadenopathy, often with systemic B symptoms. Even in advanced-stage disease, HL is highly curable with combination chemotherapy, radiation, or combined-modality treatment. Although the same doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine chemotherapeutic regimen has been the mainstay of therapy over the last 30 years, risk-adapted approaches have helped de-escalate therapy in low-risk patients while intensifying treatment for higher risk patients. Even patients who are not cured with initial therapy can often be salvaged with alternate chemotherapy combinations, the novel antibody-drug conjugate brentuximab, or high-dose autologous or allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The programmed death-1 inhibitors nivolumab and pembrolizumab have both demonstrated high response rates and durable remissions in patients with relapsed/refractory HL. Alternate donor sources and reduced-intensity conditioning have made allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation a viable option for more patients. Future research will look to integrate novel strategies into earlier lines of therapy to improve the HL cure rate and minimize long-term treatment toxicities. CA Cancer J Clin 2018;68:116-132. © 2017 American Cancer Society.

Evaluation of rare but severe immune related adverse effects in PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors in non-small cell lung cancer: a meta-analysis.

Programmed death-1 (PD-1) and programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) inhibitor therapy is showing marked efficacy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Meanwhile, it is concomitant with distinctive immune-related adverse effects. We aim to describe the incidence of pneumonitis and other rare but severe immune-related adverse effects (IRAEs), as well as treatment related deaths. In addition, we analyze the differences in incidence of pneumonitis between PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors and standard-of-care chemotherapy. PubMed was searched up to 24 March 2017 for clinical trials of PD-1 inhibitors (nivolumab and pembrolizumab) and PD-L1 inhibitors (atezolizumab, avelumab and durvalumab) in treatment of NSCLC. Besides, references of relevant articles were screened. Finally, 22 trials were included in our study, 14 with data of pneumonitis, 19 with other severe IRAEs or treatment related deaths and 5 with control groups. Incidence of all-grade pneumonitis was 2.9% (95% CI, 2.0-4.8%) and grade 3 or higher pneumonitis 2.0% (95% CI, 1.0-2.0%). Incidence of all-grade pneumonitis in PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitor therapy (n=1,313) was significantly higher than that in chemotherapy (n=918) (OR=2.35, 95% CI, 1.32-4.20, P=0.004), but had no significance in grade 3-5 pneumonitis. Incidence of cardiorespiratory arrest (n=537) was 1.0% (95% CI, 0-2.0%), cardiac failure (n=214) 2.0% (95% CI, 1.0-5.7%), myocardial infarction (n=402) 1.0% (95% CI, 0-3.8%), stroke (n=135) 2.0% (95% CI, 0-13.0%), disease progression (n=391) 1.0% (95% CI, 0-2.9%), pancreatitis (n=700) 1.0% (95% CI, 0-2.0%) and severe skin reactions (n=836) 2.0% (95% CI, 1.0-3.8%). Incidence of treatment related deaths was 0.7%. Immune related adverse effects can on occasion be life-threatening even though usually rare. Incidence of pneumonitis in PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors was significantly higher than that in chemotherapy. More studies should be conducted to investigate the incidence of these rare but life-threatening IRAEs.

Checkpoint inhibition in pediatric hematologic malignancies

ABSTRACTImmune surveillance comprising of adaptive and innate immune systems is naturally designed to eliminate cancer development; overexpression of inhibitory receptors and their ligands prevent this check and lead to evasion and hence cancer progression and metastasis. The use of tumor-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) targeting these checkpoint regulators is promising and has led to this novel field of cancer immunotherapy. The first antibody directed against cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein 4 (CTLA-4), ipilimumab, showed promising results in clinical trials and was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of metastatic melanoma in 2011. Since then, various other immune checkpoint inhibitors are being studied in preclinical and clinical trial phases, targeting programmed-death-1 (PD-1) and its ligand programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1), T cell lymphocyte activation gene-3 (LAG-3), and others. Results from clinical trials are promising, and currently this approach has proven effective and safe in patients with solid tumors and some hematological malignancies in adults. In general, CTLA-4 and PD-1 inhibitors are well tolerated; however, the augmented immune response enabled by this class of agents is associated with a unique group of side effects called immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Experience in pediatrics using immune checkpoint inhibitors for hematological malignancies is limited to Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma as in the ongoing Children's Oncology Group (COG) protocol ADVL1412. Therapeutic advances in childhood leukemia and lymphoma (TACL) consortium will initiate an early phase clinical trial with PD-1 inhibitor nivolumab in relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in the next few months.

Relationship between lymphopenia and objective response rate with programmed death-1 (PD-1) inhibitor therapy: A single-center retrospective analysis.

e14512 Background: Lymphopenia is frequent in advanced cancers, but the impact of absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) on clinical responses with PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitors is unknown. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of adult solid tumor patients treated with a PD-1 inhibitor (nivolumab or pembrolizumab) at Johns Hopkins from 2015-2016. Patients receiving PD-1 inhibitors concurrently with investigational immunotherapies, on unreported clinical trials or for cancers in which the activity of immune checkpoint inhibitors is unclear, or for whom response information is not available, were excluded. Data were collected on patient treatment history, objective response to PD-1 therapy by RECIST 1.1, and ALC at treatment initiation and one and three months after treatment initiation. Results: 172 patients met the inclusion criteria (lung n = 54; melanoma n = 61; kidney n = 25; other tumors n = 32). Lymphopenia (ALC &lt; 1000) was present in 30.2%, 26.7%, and 34.3%, at 0, 1, and 3 months after treatment initiation. In a multiple regression analysis that adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, tumor type, number of prior therapies, and concurrent ipilimumab usage, lymphopenia at baseline was not predictive of response to an immune checkpoint inhibitor. However, in this same model, lymphopenia at 1 and 3 months after treatment initiation was inversely related to response rate (p &lt; 0.01). Of patients with lymphopenia at baseline, 37 patients (71.2%) had persistent lymphopenia (ALC &lt; 1000 at baseline persisting to month 3) whereas 15 patients (28.8%) had normalized lymphocyte counts by month 3. In a univariate analysis, patients with persistent lymphopenia had decreased response rates as compared to patients who were not lymphopenic at baseline (21.6% vs. 47.5%, p &lt; 0.01). However, patients with lymphopenia at baseline who had normalized lymphocyte counts at month 3 responded similarly as patients who were not lymphopenic at baseline (46.7% vs. 47.5%). Conclusions: Patients on anti–PD-1 therapy with persistent lymphopenia may have a reduced likelihood of responding to these agents. This association requires further validation in additional patient cohorts.