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Petersen SK, Hansen CR, Ellebaek E, Schmidt H, Haslund CA, Ruhlmann CH, Bastholt L. Does patient sex affect the treatment outcome of immune checkpoint inhibitors? A Danish, observational melanoma study. Eur J Cancer 2024; 205:114099. [PMID: 38754294 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2024.114099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
AIM The objective of this study was to evaluate whether patient biological sex influences treatment outcomes in patients with metastatic melanoma (MM) undergoing first-line immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. METHODS The Danish Metastatic Melanoma Database (DAMMED) was employed to identify patients who underwent first-line ICI therapy for MM in Denmark from 2013 to 2021. Excluding adjuvant treatment, uveal and mucosal histological subtypes, the study conducted univariable and multivariable analyses to evaluate the influence of patient sex in survival analyses. Further, landmark survival of this real-world national cohort was described for progression free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and melanoma-specific survival (MSS). RESULTS The analysis encompassed a cohort of 1378 patients with MM. Compared to male sex, females had significantly improved OS (p = 0.003) when tested in univariable testing. Multivariable analyses, controlling for age, performance status, lactate dehydrogenase level, BRAF status, M-stage, and number of metastatic sites revealed significant favourable outcomes associated with female sex irrespective of the considered survival metrics (pPFS = 0.014, pOS = 0.002, and pMSS = 0.03). The observed five-year OS rates of the entire cohort were 47% and 38%, while melanoma-specific survival were 50% and 45% for female and male, respectively. CONCLUSION In this nationwide cohort of patients with MM undergoing first-line ICI treatment females exhibited superior treatment outcomes compared to males. Sex was identified as an independent predictive variable for treatment outcomes, irrespective of the chosen outcome measures considered. Our analyses are not able to conclude whether the differences in outcome is attributable to differences in biology or to treatment strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soeren Kjaer Petersen
- Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark; Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern, Denmark.
| | - Christian Rønn Hansen
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern, Denmark; Laboratory of Radiation Physics, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Eva Ellebaek
- National Centre for Cancer Immune Therapy, Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Henrik Schmidt
- Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Christina H Ruhlmann
- Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark; Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern, Denmark
| | - Lars Bastholt
- Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
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2
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Yang L, Murthy S, Cortellini A, Lim EA, Gonzalez M, Pinato DJ, Abdel-Malek M, Mahmoud S, Martin NM. Effects of immune checkpoint inhibitor associated endocrinopathies on cancer survival. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1369268. [PMID: 38681767 PMCID: PMC11045886 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1369268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are associated with immune-related adverse events (irAEs), of which endocrinopathies are common. We characterized endocrine and non-endocrine irAEs in cancer patients receiving ICIs, identified risk factors for their development and established whether endocrine and non-endocrine irAEs were differentially associated with improved cancer prognosis. Design and methods Single-center, retrospective cohort study of patients with advanced or metastatic solid tumors receiving at least one ICI treatment cycle (242 men, 151 women, median age 65 years). Main outcome measures were incidence of any irAE during the study period, overall survival and time to treatment failure. Results Non-endocrine irAEs occurred in 32% and endocrine irAEs in 12% of patients. Primary thyroid dysfunction was the most common endocrine irAE (9.5%) and the majority of endocrinopathies required permanent hormone replacement. Women had an increased risk of developing endocrine irAEs (p = 0.017). The biggest survival advantage occurred in patients who developed both endocrine and non-endocrine irAEs (overall survival: HR 0.16, CI 0.09-0.28). Time to treatment failure was also significantly improved in patients who developed endocrine irAEs (HR 0.49, CI 0.34 - 0.71) or both (HR 0.41, CI 0.25 - 0.64) but not in those who only developed non-endocrine irAEs. Conclusions Women may have increased risk of endocrine irAEs secondary to ICI treatment. This is the first study to compare the effects of endocrine irAEs with non-endocrine irAEs on survival. Development of endocrine irAEs may confer survival benefit in ICI treatment and future, prospective studies are needed to elucidate this.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Yang
- Department of Endocrinology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sruthi Murthy
- Department of Endocrinology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alessio Cortellini
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, London, London, United Kingdom
- Operative Research Unit of Medical Oncology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy
| | - Emma A. Lim
- Department of Imaging, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Gonzalez
- Department of Medical Oncology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - David J. Pinato
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, London, London, United Kingdom
- Division of Oncology, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Mariana Abdel-Malek
- Department of Endocrinology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah Mahmoud
- Department of Pharmacy, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Niamh M. Martin
- Department of Endocrinology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
- Section of Endocrinology and Investigative Medicine, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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3
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Kammula AV, Schäffer AA, Rajagopal PS, Kurzrock R, Ruppin E. Outcome differences by sex in oncology clinical trials. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2608. [PMID: 38521835 PMCID: PMC10960820 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46945-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Identifying sex differences in outcomes and toxicity between males and females in oncology clinical trials is important and has also been mandated by National Institutes of Health policies. Here we analyze the Trialtrove database, finding that, strikingly, only 472/89,221 oncology clinical trials (0.5%) had curated post-treatment sex comparisons. Among 288 trials with comparisons of survival, outcome, or response, 16% report males having statistically significant better survival outcome or response, while 42% reported significantly better survival outcome or response for females. The strongest differences are in trials of EGFR inhibitors in lung cancer and rituximab in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (both favoring females). Among 44 trials with side effect comparisons, more trials report significantly lesser side effects in males (N = 22) than in females (N = 13). Thus, while statistical comparisons between sexes in oncology trials are rarely reported, important differences in outcome and toxicity exist. These considerable outcome and toxicity differences highlight the need for reporting sex differences more thoroughly going forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashwin V Kammula
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Alejandro A Schäffer
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
| | - Padma Sheila Rajagopal
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
- Women's Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Razelle Kurzrock
- WIN Consortium and Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226 and University of Nebraska, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Eytan Ruppin
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
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4
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Pasello G, Fabricio ASC, Del Bianco P, Salizzato V, Favaretto A, Piccin L, Zustovich F, Fabozzi A, De Rossi C, Pigozzo J, De Nuzzo M, Cappelletto E, Bonanno L, Palleschi D, De Salvo GL, Guarneri V, Gion M, Chiarion-Sileni V. Sex-related differences in serum biomarker levels predict the activity and efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in advanced melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer patients. J Transl Med 2024; 22:242. [PMID: 38443899 PMCID: PMC10916307 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-04920-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICIs) lead to durable response and a significant increase in long-term survival in patients with advanced malignant melanoma (MM) and Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). The identification of serum cytokines that can predict their activity and efficacy, and their sex interaction, could improve treatment personalization. METHODS In this prospective study, we enrolled immunotherapy-naïve patients affected by advanced MM and NSCLC treated with ICIs. The primary endpoint was to dissect the potential sex correlations between serum cytokines (IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, GM-CSF, MCP-1, TNF-ɑ, IP-10, VEGF, sPD-L1) and the objective response rate (ORR). Secondly, we analyzed biomarker changes during treatment related to ORR, disease control rate (DCR), progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Blood samples, collected at baseline and during treatment until disease progression (PD) or up to 2 years, were analyzed using Luminex xMAP or ELLA technologies. RESULTS Serum samples from 161 patients (98 males/63 females; 92 MM/69 NSCLC) were analyzed for treatment response. At baseline, IL-6 was significantly lower in females (F) versus males (M); lower levels of IL-4 in F and of IL-6 in both sexes significantly correlated with a better ORR, while higher IL-4 and TNF-ɑ values were predictive of a lower ORR in F versus M. One hundred and sixty-five patients were evaluable for survival analysis: at multiple Cox regression, an increased risk of PD was observed in F with higher baseline values of IL-4, sPD-L1 and IL-10, while higher IL-6 was a negative predictor in males. In males, higher levels of GM-CSF predict a longer survival, whereas higher IL-1β predicts a shorter survival. Regardless of sex, high baseline IL-8 values were associated with an increased risk of both PD and death, and high IL-6 levels only with shorter OS. CONCLUSIONS Serum IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, GM-CSF, TNF-ɑ, and sPD-L1 had a significant sex-related predictive impact on ORR, PFS and OS in melanoma and NSCLC patients treated with ICIs. These results will potentially pave the way for new ICI combinations, designed according to baseline and early changes of these cytokines and stratified by sex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Pasello
- Medical Oncology 2, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy.
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, Padua, Italy.
| | - Aline S C Fabricio
- Medical Oncology 2, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Paola Del Bianco
- Clinical Research Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | | | - Adolfo Favaretto
- Medical Oncology Unit, Ca' Foncello Hospital, AULSS 2, Treviso, Italy
| | - Luisa Piccin
- Medical Oncology 2, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | | | - Alessio Fabozzi
- Medical Oncology 3, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | | | - Jacopo Pigozzo
- Medical Oncology 2, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Mattia De Nuzzo
- Medical Oncology 2, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Elia Cappelletto
- Regional Center for Biomarkers, Department of Clinical Pathology, AULSS3 Serenissima, Venice, Italy
| | - Laura Bonanno
- Medical Oncology 2, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Dario Palleschi
- Medical Oncology Unit, Ca' Foncello Hospital, AULSS 2, Treviso, Italy
| | - Gian Luca De Salvo
- Clinical Research Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Valentina Guarneri
- Medical Oncology 2, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Massimo Gion
- Regional Center for Biomarkers, Department of Clinical Pathology, AULSS3 Serenissima, Venice, Italy
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Xu Y, Yan C, Zhao Y, Li D, Guo M, Cui X. Hepatic failure associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors: An analysis of the Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System database. Cancer Med 2023; 12:9167-9174. [PMID: 36734333 PMCID: PMC10166896 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.5655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatic failure induced by immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has been reported in only a few case series and case reports. OBJECTIVE We aimed to explore the association between ICIs and hepatic failure and characterize the clinical features of ICI-associated hepatic failure in the pharmacovigilance database. METHODS Data from the first quarter (Q1) of 2015 to the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2021 in the US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database were retrieved for disproportionality and Bayesian analysis. Reporting odds ratios (ROR) and information component (IC) were used to evaluate correlations between ICIs and hepatic failure. RESULTS Hepatic failure occurred in 0.19% (18,454/9,647,655) of all cases in the FAERS database, of which 654 cases were associated with ICIs. The overall median time from ICIs initiation to hepatic failure onset was 38 days, 72.3% of the adverse events occurred within the first 3 months, and 68.65% of the cases died after developing hepatic failure. In general, a strong signal was shown between ICIs and hepatic failure (ROR025 = 2.70, IC025 = 1.39). For the three categories of ICIs, programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 inhibitors (ROR025 = 3.09, IC025 = 1.57) had a higher risk signal than programmed cell death protein 1 inhibitors and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4 inhibitors. For monotherapy, atezolizumab showed the strongest risk signal (ROR025 = 4.07, IC025 = 1.90). The combination of nivolumab and ipilimumab showed stronger signals of hepatic failure compared with nivolumab or ipilimumab alone (nivolumab + ipilimumab vs. ipilimumab: ROR025 = 1.40, IC025 = 0.16; nivolumab + ipilimumab vs. nivolumab: ROR025 = 1.24, IC025 = 0.34). Considering the concomitant agents used with ICIs, the majority of these regimens showed stronger signals than ICI monotherapy, such as acetaminophen (ICIs + acetaminophen vs. ICIs: ROR025 = 1.06, IC025 = 0.32). CONCLUSIONS ICIs had possible strong signals associated with hepatic failure, and most cases of hepatic failure occurred within the first 3 months and had poor outcomes, which should attract clinical attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Xu
- Department of Pharmacy, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,School of Pharmacy, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Cilin Yan
- School of Automation Science and Electrical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Zhao
- Department of Pharmacy, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Dandan Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Mingxing Guo
- Department of Pharmacy, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangli Cui
- Department of Pharmacy, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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Noori M, Mahjoubfar A, Azizi S, Fayyaz F, Rezaei N. Immune checkpoint inhibitors plus chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone as first-line therapy for advanced gastric and esophageal cancers: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 113:109317. [DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.109317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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7
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Rekulapelli A, E. Flausino L, Iyer G, Balkrishnan R. Effectiveness of immunological agents in non-small cell lung cancer. Cancer Rep (Hoboken) 2022; 6:e1739. [PMID: 36289059 PMCID: PMC9981233 DOI: 10.1002/cnr2.1739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) continues to claim millions of lives worldwide. Although its poor prognosis is largely attributed to the lack of adequate and precise detection technologies, cancer cells' suppression of the immune system adds on to the difficulty of identifying abnormal NSCLC tumors in their early stages. Therefore, cancer immunotherapy, which activates the immune system and helps it fight tumors, has recently become the most sought-after technique, especially in the advanced stages of NSCLC, where surgery or chemotherapy may or may not bring about the desired survival benefits in patients. METHODS This review focuses on the various immunotherapeutic interventions and their efficacy in advanced NSCLC clinical trials. Monoclonal antibodies like anti-PD-1/PD-L1 agents and anti-CTLA-4 antibodies, cancer vaccines, oncolytic viruses and adoptive T cell therapy have been discussed in brief. Furthermore, the effects of gender, age, and race on the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors and suggest plausible future approaches in the realm of immuno-oncology. RESULTS Immunotherapy is used alone or in combination either with other immunological agents or with chemotherapy. However, the efficacy of these strategies depends extensively on various demographic variables, as some patients respond perfectly well to immunotherapy, while others do not benefit at all or experience disease progression. By targeting a "hallmark" of cancer (immune evasion), immunotherapy has transformed NSCLC management, though several barriers prevent its complete effectiveness. CONCLUSIONS All these immunological strategies should be interpreted in the current setting of synergistic treatment, in which these agents can be combined with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and, or surgery following patient and tumor characteristics to proportionate the best-individualized treatment and achieve superior results. To better pursue this goal, further investigations on cost-effectiveness and sex-gender, race, and age differences in immunotherapy are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akhil Rekulapelli
- Department of Public Health SciencesUniversity of Virginia School of MedicineCharlottesvilleVirginiaUSA
| | - Lucas E. Flausino
- Department of Public Health SciencesUniversity of Virginia School of MedicineCharlottesvilleVirginiaUSA,Faculdade de MedicinaUniversidade de São PauloSão PauloBrazil
| | - Gayatri Iyer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and TechnologyInstitute of Chemical TechnologyMumbaiIndia
| | - Rajesh Balkrishnan
- Department of Public Health SciencesUniversity of Virginia School of MedicineCharlottesvilleVirginiaUSA
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Kudura K, Basler L, Nussbaumer L, Foerster R. Sex-Related Differences in Metastatic Melanoma Patients Treated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibition. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14205145. [PMID: 36291928 PMCID: PMC9600302 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14205145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: We aimed to investigate sex-related differences in patients with advanced melanoma treated with ICI by linking the assessment of inflammatory response in peripheral blood, onset of immune-related adverse events IRAEs during therapy and treatment response in short- and long-term. Methods: For the purpose of this single-center retrospective study metastatic melanoma patients treated with ICI were included. Baseline patient characteristics, blood sample tests and the onset of immune-related adverse events IRAEs were documented based on clinical records. The short-term treatment response was assessed with 18F-2-Fluor-2-desoxy-D-glucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography FDG-PET/CT scans performed six months after initiation of ICI. The overall survival OS and progression-free survival PFS were used as endpoints to assess the long-term response to immunotherapy. Results: In total, 103 patients with advanced melanoma (mean age 68 ± 13.83 years) were included, 29 women (mean age 60.41 ± 14.57 years) and 74 men (mean age 65.66 ± 13.34 years). The primary tumor was located on a lower extremity in one out of three women and on the head/neck in one out of three men (p < 0.001). While the superficial spreading (41%) and nodular (36%) melanoma subtypes represented together 77% of the cases in male population, women showed a more heterogenous distribution of melanoma subtypes with the superficial spreading (35%), nodular (23%), acral lentiginous (19%) and mucosal (12%) melanoma subtypes being most frequent in female population (p < 0.001). Most differences between women and men with regards to inflammatory parameters were observed six months after initiation of ICI with a higher median NLR (p = 0.038), lower counts of lymphocytes (p = 0.004) and thrombocytes (p = 0.089) in addition to lower counts of erythrocytes (p < 0.001) and monocytes (p < 0.001) in women towards men. IRAEs were more frequent in women towards men (p = 0.013). Women were more likely to display endocrinological IRAEs, such as thyroiditis being the most frequent adverse event in women. Interestingly IRAEs of the gastrointestinal tract were the most frequent ones in men. Finally, men with advanced melanoma showed a significantly better response to immunotherapy in short- (p = 0.015) and long-term (OS p = 0.015 and PFS p < 0.001) than women. In fact, every fourth man died during the course of the disease, while every second woman did not survive. (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Men with advanced melanoma showed a significantly better response to immunotherapy in short- and long-term than women. Higher immune activation in peripheral blood before and after initiation ICI might be linked to favorable treatment response during and after ICI in favor of men and decoupled from the onset of IRAEs. Given the significantly higher immunotoxicity and worse outcome experienced by women compared to men the use of ICI should be chosen carefully in women with advanced melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ken Kudura
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
- Correspondence:
| | - Lucas Basler
- Institute of Radiooncology, Cantonal Hospital Aarau, 5001 Aarau, Switzerland
| | - Lukas Nussbaumer
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Robert Foerster
- Institute of Radiooncology, Cantonal Hospital Winterthur, 8400 Winterthur, Switzerland
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Schafer JM, Xiao T, Kwon H, Collier K, Chang Y, Abdel-Hafiz H, Bolyard C, Chung D, Yang Y, Sundi D, Ma Q, Theodorescu D, Li X, Li Z. Sex-biased adaptive immune regulation in cancer development and therapy. iScience 2022; 25:104717. [PMID: 35880048 PMCID: PMC9307950 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The cancer research field is finally starting to unravel the mystery behind why males have a higher incidence and mortality rate than females for nearly all cancer types of the non-reproductive systems. Here, we explain how sex - specifically sex chromosomes and sex hormones - drives differential adaptive immunity across immune-related disease states including cancer, and why males are consequently more predisposed to tumor development. We highlight emerging data on the roles of cell-intrinsic androgen receptors in driving CD8+ T cell dysfunction or exhaustion in the tumor microenvironment and summarize ongoing clinical efforts to determine the impact of androgen blockade on cancer immunotherapy. Finally, we outline a framework for future research in cancer biology and immuno-oncology, underscoring the importance of a holistic research approach to understanding the mechanisms of sex dimorphisms in cancer, so sex will be considered as an imperative factor for guiding treatment decisions in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna M. Schafer
- Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology, the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – the James, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Tong Xiao
- Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology, the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – the James, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Hyunwoo Kwon
- Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology, the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – the James, Columbus, OH 43210, USA,Medical Scientist Training Program, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Katharine Collier
- Division of Medical Oncology, the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – the James, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Yuzhou Chang
- Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology, the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – the James, Columbus, OH 43210, USA,Department of Biomedical Informatics, the Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Hany Abdel-Hafiz
- Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA,Department of Medicine and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Chelsea Bolyard
- Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology, the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – the James, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Dongjun Chung
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, the Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Yuanquan Yang
- Division of Medical Oncology, the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – the James, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Debasish Sundi
- Department of Urology, the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Qin Ma
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, the Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Dan Theodorescu
- Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA,Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Xue Li
- Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA,Department of Medicine and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Zihai Li
- Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology, the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – the James, Columbus, OH 43210, USA,Corresponding author
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10
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Sex differences in immune-related adverse events with immune checkpoint inhibitors: data mining of the FDA adverse event reporting system. Int J Clin Pharm 2022; 44:689-697. [PMID: 35449347 DOI: 10.1007/s11096-022-01395-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although immune-related adverse events (irAEs) have been reported in patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy, sex differences in irAEs are not known. AIM The present study described, evaluated and compared differences in irAEs between females and males treated with ICIs. METHOD irAE reports were obtained from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) from January 2004 to December 2020. Disproportionality analysis and Bayesian analysis were used to explore differences in irAEs between females and males. The onset time and fatality proportion of irAEs in different ICIs between females and males were further evaluated. RESULTS A total of 30,342 irAE cases were obtained, including 11,097 female cases and 19,245 male cases. Consistent disproportionality signals were detected in females and males, including endocrine toxicity, hepatitis, lung toxicity, nervous system toxicity, and ocular toxicity. Renal toxicity was only detected in male patients receiving ICI therapy (PRR 2.37, 95% CI: 2.25-2.51; IC: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.05-1.43). Males had a longer onset time (females 35 days [IQR 14-87] vs. males 39 days [IQR 14-92], P = 0.041) and higher fatality proportion (females 20.5% vs. males 25.6%, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS This analysis revealed that males had a higher chance of exhibiting ICI-associated renal toxicity, longer median onset time and worse prognosis of irAEs than females. Greater attention to sex differences in ICI therapy is needed.
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Shireman JM, Ammanuel S, Eickhoff JC, Dey M. Sexual dimorphism of the immune system predicts clinical outcomes in glioblastoma immunotherapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Neurooncol Adv 2022; 4:vdac082. [PMID: 35821678 PMCID: PMC9268746 DOI: 10.1093/noajnl/vdac082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Biological differences based on sex have been documented throughout the scientific literature. Glioblastoma (GBM), the most common primary malignant brain tumor in adults, has a male sex incidence bias, however, no clinical trial data examining differential effects of treatment between sexes currently exists. Method We analyzed genomic data, as well as clinical trials, to delineate the effect of sex on the immune system and GBM outcome following immunotherapy. Results We found that in general females possess enriched immunological signatures on gene set enrichment analysis, which also stratified patient survival when delineated by sex. Female GBM patients treated with immunotherapy had a statistically significant survival advantage at the 1-year compared to males (relative risk [RR] = 1.15; P = .0241). This effect was even more pronounced in vaccine-based immunotherapy (RR = 1.29; P = .0158). Conclusions Our study shows a meaningful difference in the immunobiology between males and females that also influences the overall response to immunotherapy in the setting of GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack M Shireman
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, UW Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Simon Ammanuel
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, UW Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Jens C Eickhoff
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Mahua Dey
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, UW Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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