Tofacitinib and faecal microbiota transplantation in treating checkpoint inhibitor-induced enterocolitis: case report

Rheumatic adverse events of immune checkpoint inhibitors in cancer immunotherapy

INTRODUCTION

The advent of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in cancer treatment has marked a transformative era, albeit tempered by immune-related adverse events (irAEs), including those impacting the musculoskeletal system. The lack of precise epidemiologic data on rheumatic irAEs is attributed to factors such as potential underrecognition, underreporting in clinical trials, and the tendency to overlook manifestations without immediate life-threatening implications, further complicating the determination of accurate incidence rates, while the complete understanding of the mechanisms driving rheumatic irAEs remains elusive.

AREAS COVERED

This literature review comprehensively examines rheumatic irAEs in cancer patients undergoing ICI therapy, encompassing epidemiology, risk factors, mechanisms, clinical manifestations, and current management guidance for prevalent conditions such as inflammatory arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, and myositis. Less frequent rheumatic and musculoskeletal irAEs are also explored, alongside insights into ongoing clinical trials testing therapeutic and preventive strategies for irAEs. A thorough literature search on Medline and the National Cancer Institute Clinical Trials Database was conducted up to October 2023 to compile relevant information.

EXPERT OPINION

In light of the evolving landscape of cancer immunotherapy, there is a compelling need for prospective longitudinal studies to enhance understanding and inform clinical management strategies for rheumatic irAEs.

Impact of Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs, Glucocorticoids, and Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs on Cancer Response to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy

Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy for advanced malignancies often leads to off-target adverse events. Rheumatic immune-related adverse events can often linger beyond the duration of ICI therapy and sometimes requires the use of immunomodulator therapy. A key question, therefore, is if the commonly used therapies affect cancer outcomes. In this review, the authors summarize the state of the data as it currently stands, taking into consideration the limitations of the various source studies. The most information is known about glucocorticoids, which appear to be harmful especially when used early and at high doses.

Management of liver and gastrointestinal toxicity induced by immune checkpoint inhibitors: Position statement of the AEEH-AEG-SEPD-SEOM-GETECCU

The development of the immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) is one of the most remarkable achievements in cancer therapy in recent years. However, their exponential use has led to an increase in immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Gastrointestinal and liver events encompass hepatitis, colitis and upper digestive tract symptoms accounting for the most common irAEs, with incidence rates varying from 2% to 40%, the latter in patients undergoing combined ICIs therapy. Based on the current scientific evidence derived from both randomized clinical trials and real-world studies, this statement document provides recommendations on the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of the gastrointestinal and hepatic ICI-induced adverse events.

Management of liver and gastrointestinal toxicity induced by immune checkpoint inhibitors: Position statement of the AEEH-AEG-SEPD-SEOM-GETECCU

The development of the immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) is one of the most remarkable achievements in cancer therapy in recent years. However, their exponential use has led to an increase in immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Gastrointestinal and liver events encompass hepatitis, colitis and upper digestive tract symptoms accounting for the most common irAEs, with incidence rates varying from 2 % to 40 %, the latter in patients undergoing combined ICIs therapy. Based on the current scientific evidence derived from both randomized clinical trials and real-world studies, this statement document provides recommendations on the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of the gastrointestinal and hepatic ICI-induced adverse events.

The JAK-STAT Pathway as a Therapeutic Strategy in Cancer Patients with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Induced Colitis: A Narrative Review

Immunotherapy has emerged as a pivotal component in the treatment of various malignancies, encompassing lung, skin, gastrointestinal, and head and neck cancers. The foundation of this therapeutic approach lies in immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). While ICIs have demonstrated remarkable efficacy in impeding the neoplastic progression of these tumours, their use may give rise to substantial toxicity, notably in the gastrointestinal domain, where ICI colitis constitutes a significant aspect. The optimal positioning of Janus kinase (JAK)-signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway inhibitors in the therapeutic management of ICI colitis remains unclear. Numerous reports have highlighted notable improvements in ICI colitis through the application of pan-JAK-STAT inhibitors, with tofacitinib, in particular, reporting evident clinical remission of colitis. The precise mechanism by which JAK-STAT inhibitors may impact the pathogenetic process of ICI colitis remains inadequately understood. However, there is speculation regarding their potential role in modulating memory resident CD8+ T lymphocytes. The elucidation of this mechanism requires further extensive and robust evidence, and ongoing JAK-STAT-based trials are anticipated to contribute valuable insights.

Mirroring UC care pathways in refractory immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-mediated colitis: distinct features and common pathways

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have transformed the management of cancer, producing durable responses in a subset of treated patients across multiple malignancies. Immune-mediated diarrhea and colitis (imDC) occurs in up to 20% of ICI-treated patients. The risk of ICI imDC is dependent upon the agent and is commoner with anti-CTLA-4 compared to anti-PD-1 ICIs. Generally, imDC is treated with steroids and agents targeting TNFα or α4β7 integrin. However, the management of steroids and/or biologic refractory imDC is unclear. We present a case of imDC in a 68-year-old female who failed to respond clinically, biochemically and immunohistochemically to corticosteroids, infliximab and vedolizumab. A trial of tofacitinib, a pan-JAK inhibitor, led to rapid clinical, biochemical and immunohistochemical control of imDC. ICIs result in a striking accumulation of cytotoxic and proliferative CD8 + T cells within tumor. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying imDC remain unclear. Herein, we observed significant T cell enrichment; and the successful treatment with tofacitinib highlights the potential of multiple convergent inflammatory pathways in imDC and inflammatory colitis.

IL12/23 Blockade for Refractory Immune-Mediated Colitis: 2-Center Experience

INTRODUCTION

Immune checkpoint inhibitor-mediated colitis (IMC) is commonly managed with steroids and biologics. We evaluated the efficacy of ustekinumab (UST) in treating IMC refractory to steroids plus infliximab and/or vedolizumab.

RESULTS

Nineteen patients were treated with UST for IMC refractory to steroids plus infliximab (57.9%) and/or vedolizumab (94.7%). Most of them had grade ≥3 diarrhea (84.2%), and colitis with ulceration was present in 42.1%. Thirteen patients (68.4%) attained clinical remission with UST, and mean fecal calprotectin levels dropped significantly after treatment (629 ± 101.5 mcg/mg to 92.0 ± 21.7 mcg/mg, P = 0.0004).

DISCUSSION

UST is a promising therapy for the treatment of refractory IMC.

Checkpoint Inhibitor-Induced Colitis: From Pathogenesis to Management

The advent of immunotherapy, specifically of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), for the treatment of solid tumors has deeply transformed therapeutic algorithms in medical oncology. Approximately one-third of patients treated with ICIs may de velop immune-related adverse events, and the gastrointestinal tract is often affected by different grades of mucosal inflammation. Checkpoint inhibitors colitis (CIC) presents with watery or bloody diarrhea and, in the case of severe symptoms, requires ICIs discontinuation. The pathogenesis of CIC is multifactorial and still partially unknown: anti-tumor activity that collaterally effects the colonic tissue and the upregulation of specific systemic inflammatory pathways (i.e., CD8+ cytotoxic and CD4+ T lymphocytes) are mainly involved. Many questions remain regarding treatment timing and options, and biological treatment, especially with anti-TNF alpha, can be offered to these patients with the aim of rapidly resuming oncological therapies. CIC shares similar pathogenesis and aspects with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and the use of ICI in IBD patients is under evaluation. This review aims to summarize the pathogenetic mechanism underlying CIC and to discuss the current evidenced-based management options, including the role of biological therapy, emphasizing the relevant clinical impact on CIC and the need for prompt recognition and treatment.

Case Report: A severe case of immunosuppressant-refractory immune checkpoint inhibitor-mediated colitis rescued by tofacitinib

Immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy for cancer treatment can give rise to a variety of adverse events. Here we report a male patient with metastatic melanoma who experienced life-threatening colitis and duodenitis following treatment with ipilimumab and nivolumab. The patient did not respond to the first three lines of immunosuppressive therapy (corticosteroids, infliximab, and vedolizumab), but recovered well after administration of tofacitinib, a JAK inhibitor. Cellular and transcriptional data on colon and duodenum biopsies shows significant inflammation in the tissue, characterized by a large number of CD8 T cells and high expression of PD-L1. While cellular numbers do decrease during three lines of immunosuppressive therapy, CD8 T cells remain relatively high in the epithelium, along with PD-L1 expression in the involved tissue and expression of colitis-associated genes, indicating an ongoing colitis at that moment. Despite all immunosuppressive treatments, the patient has an ongoing tumor response with no evidence of disease. Tofacitinib might be a good candidate to consider more often for ipilimumab/nivolumab-induced colitis.