Management of adverse events related to new cancer immunotherapy (immune checkpoint inhibitors)

Neurological autoimmunity in melanoma patients: a comparison between those exposed and non-exposed to immune checkpoint inhibitors

BACKGROUND

The clinical spectrum of melanoma-associated neurological autoimmunity, whether melanoma-associated paraneoplastic neurological syndromes (PNS) or induced by immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), is not well characterized. We aim to describe the clinical spectrum of melanoma-associated neurological autoimmunity.

METHODS

A systematic review of the literature combined with patients from French databases of paraneoplastic neurological syndromes was conducted. All melanoma patients with a possible immune-mediated neurologic syndrome were included and classified according to whether they had previously been exposed to ICI (ICI-neurotoxicity) or not (ICI-naïve) at first neurological symptoms.

RESULTS

Seventy ICI-naïve (literature: n = 61) and 241 ICI-neurotoxicity patients (literature: n = 180) were identified. Neuromuscular manifestations predominated in both groups, but peripheral neuropathies were more frequent in ICI-neurotoxicity patients (39.4% vs 21.4%, p = 0.005) whereas myositis was more frequent in ICI-naïve patients (42.9% vs 18.7%, p < 0.001). ICI-naïve patients had also more frequent central nervous system (CNS) involvement (35.7% vs 23.7%, p = 0.045), classical paraneoplastic syndrome (25.7% vs 5.8%, p < 0.001), and more frequently positive for anti-neuron antibodies (24/32, 75.0% vs 38/90, 42.2%, p = 0.001). Although more ICI-neurotoxicity patients died during the acute phase (22/202, 10.9% vs 1/51, 2.0%, p = 0.047), mostly myositis patients (14/22, 63.6%), mortality during follow-up was higher in ICI-naïve patients (58.5% vs 29.8%, p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the frequency of life independence (mRS ≤ 2) in the surviving patients in both groups (95.5% vs 91.0%, p = 0.437).

CONCLUSIONS

Melanoma-associated PNS appear remarkably rare. The clinical similarities observed in neurological autoimmunity between ICI-treated and ICI-naïve patients, characterized predominantly by demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy and myositis, suggest a potential prior immunization against melanoma antigens contributing to ICI-related neurotoxicity.

Immune checkpoints: new insights into the pathogenesis of thyroid eye disease

Thyroid eye disease (TED) is a disfiguring autoimmune disease characterized by changes in the orbital tissues and is caused by abnormal thyroid function or thyroid-related antibodies. It is the ocular manifestation of Graves' disease. The expression of thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR) and the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1 R) on the cell membrane of orbital fibroblasts (OFs) is responsible for TED pathology. Excessive inflammation is caused when these receptors in the orbit are stimulated by autoantibodies. CD34+ fibrocytes, found in the peripheral blood and orbital tissues of patients with TED, express immune checkpoints (ICs) like MHC II, B7, and PD-L1, indicating their potential role in presenting antigens and regulating the immune response in TED pathogenesis. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have significantly transformed cancer treatment. However, it can also lead to the occurrence of TED in some instances, suggesting the abnormality of ICs in TED. This review will examine the overall pathogenic mechanism linked to the immune cells of TED and then discuss the latest research findings on the immunomodulatory role of ICs in the development and pathogenesis of TED. This will offer fresh perspectives on the study of pathogenesis and the identification of potential therapeutic targets.

Recent advances in immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced type 1 diabetes mellitus

As a new group of anticancer drugs, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have exhibited favorable antitumor efficacy in numerous malignant tumors. Anti-cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4), anti-programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and anti-programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) are three kinds of ICIs widely used in clinical practice. However, ICI therapy (monotherapy or combination therapy) is always accompanied by a unique toxicity profile known as immune-related adverse events (irAEs) affecting multiple organs. The endocrine glands are common targets of irAEs induced by ICIs, which cause type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) when the pancreas is affected. Although the incidence rate of ICI-induced T1DM is rare, it will always lead to an irreversible impairment of β-cells and be potentially life-threatening. Hence, it is vital for endocrinologists and oncologists to obtain a comprehensive understanding of ICI-induced T1DM and its management. In our present manuscript, we have reviewed the epidemiology, pathology and mechanism, diagnosis, management, and treatments of ICI-induced T1DM.

Monitoring multidimensional aspects of quality of life after cancer immunotherapy: protocol for the international multicentre, observational QUALITOP cohort study

INTRODUCTION

Immunotherapies, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors and chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy, have significantly improved the clinical outcomes of various malignancies. However, they also cause immune-related adverse events (irAEs) that can be challenging to predict, prevent and treat. Although they likely interact with health-related quality of life (HRQoL), most existing evidence on this topic has come from clinical trials with eligibility criteria that may not accurately reflect real-world settings. The QUALITOP project will study HRQoL in relation to irAEs and its determinants in a real-world study of patients treated with immunotherapy.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This international, observational, multicentre study takes place in France, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain. We aim to include about 1800 adult patients with cancer treated with immunotherapy in a specifically recruited prospective cohort, and to additionally obtain data from historical real-world databases (ie, databiobanks) and medical administrative registries (ie, national cancer registries) in which relevant data regarding other adult patients with cancer treated with immunotherapy has already been stored. In the prospective cohort, clinical health status, HRQoL and psychosocial well-being will be monitored until 18 months after treatment initiation through questionnaires (at baseline and 3, 6, 12 and 18 months thereafter), and by data extraction from electronic patient files. Using advanced statistical methods, including causal inference methods, artificial intelligence algorithms and simulation modelling, we will use data from the QUALITOP cohort to improve the understanding of the complex relationships among treatment regimens, patient characteristics, irAEs and HRQoL.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

All aspects of the QUALITOP project will be conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and with ethical approval from a suitable local ethics committee, and all patients will provide signed informed consent. In addition to standard dissemination efforts in the scientific literature, the data and outcomes will contribute to a smart digital platform and medical data lake. These will (1) help increase knowledge about the impact of immunotherapy, (2) facilitate improved interactions between patients, clinicians and the general population and (3) contribute to personalised medicine.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT05626764.

Novel antigens for targeted radioimmunotherapy in hepatocellular carcinoma

Liver cancer is the sixth common cancer and forth cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Based on usually advanced stages of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at the time of diagnosis, therapeutic options are limited and, in many cases, not effective, and typically result in the tumor recurrence with a poor prognosis. Radioimmunotherapy (RIT) offers a selective internal radiation therapy approach using beta or alpha emitting radionuclides conjugated with tumor-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), or specific selective peptides. When compared to chemotherapy or radiotherapy, radiolabeled mAbs against cancer-associated antigens could provide a high therapeutic and exclusive radiation dose for cancerous cells while decreasing the exposure-induced side effects to healthy tissues. The recent advances in cancer immunotherapy, such as blockade of immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), has changed the landscape of cancer therapy, and the efficacy of different classes of immunotherapy has been tested in many clinical trials. Taking into account the use of ICIs in the liver tumor microenvironment, combined therapies with different approaches may enhance the outcome in the future clinical studies. With the development of novel immunotherapy treatment options in the recent years, there has been a great deal of information about combining the diverse treatment modalities to boost the effectiveness of immunomodulatory drugs. In this opinion review, we will discuss the recent advancements in RIT. The current status of immunotherapy and internal radiotherapy will be updated, and we will propose novel approaches for the combination of both techniques. Potential target antigens for radioimmunotherapy in Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HCC radioimmunotherapy target antigens are the most specific and commonly accessible antigens on the surface of HCC cells. CTLA-4 ligand and receptor, TAMs, PD-1/PD-L, TIM-3, specific IEXs/TEXs, ROBO1, and cluster of differentiation antigens CD105, CD147 could all be used in HCC radioimmunotherapy. Abbreviations: TAMs, tumor-associated macrophages; CTLA-4, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated antigen-4; PD-1, Programmed cell death protein 1; PD-L, programmed death-ligand1; TIM-3, T-cell immunoglobulin (Ig) and mucin-domain containing protein-3; IEXs, immune cell-derived exosomes; TEXs, tumor-derived exosomes.

Checkpoint Inhibitor Immune-Related Adverse Events: A Multimodality Pictorial Review

Cancer immunotherapies are drugs that modulate the body's own immune system as an anticancer strategy. Checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapies interfere with cell surface binding proteins that function to promote self-recognition and tolerance, ultimately leading to upregulation of the immune response. Given the striking success of these agents in early trials in melanoma and lung cancer, they have now been studied in many types of cancer and have become a pillar of anticancer therapy for many tumor types. However, abundant upregulation results in a new class of side effects, known as immune-related adverse events (IRAEs). It is critical for the practicing radiologist to be able to recognize these events to best contribute to care for patients on checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy. Here, we provide a comprehensive system-based review of immune-related adverse events and associated imaging findings. Further, we detail the best imaging modalities for each as well as describe problem solving modalities. Given that IRAEs can be subclinical before becoming clinically apparent, radiologists may be the first provider to recognize them, providing an opportunity for early treatment. Awareness of IRAEs and how to best image them will prepare radiologists to make a meaningful contribution to patient care as part of the clinical team.

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation Effectively Cures a Patient With Severe Bleeding Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Associated Colitis and a Short Review

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have opened up a new way for tumor therapy but simultaneously led to the occurrence of immune-related adverse events. We report a case of successful treatment of PD-1 inhibitor-associated colitis with fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). The patient was a palatal malignant melanoma who developed diarrhea and hematochezia accompanied by fever, gastrointestinal bleeding, and infection after the third treatment with PD-1 (Toripalimab). The patient received general treatment unsuccessful, corticosteroid therapy after initial success but rapid loss of response, and finally successful treatment after fecal microbiota transplantation.

Bacterial-Based Methods for Cancer Treatment: What We Know and Where We Are

A severe disease, cancer is caused by the exponential and uncontrolled growth of cells, leading to organ dysfunction as well as disorders. This disease has been recognized as one of the significant challenges to health and medicine. Various treatment procedures for cancer are associated with diverse side effects; the most conventional cancer treatments include chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy, among others. Numerous adverse and side effects, low specificity and sensitivity, narrow therapeutic windows, and, recently, the emergence of tumor cells resistant to such treatments have been documented as the shortcomings of conventional treatment strategies. As a group of prokaryotic microorganisms, bacteria have great potential for use in cancer therapy. Currently, utilizing bacteria for cancer treatment has attracted the attention of scientists. The high potential of bacteria to become non-pathogenic by genetic manipulation, their distinguished virulence factors (which can be used as weapons against tumors), their ability to proliferate in tissues, and the contingency to control their population by administrating antibiotics, etc., have made bacteria viable candidates and live micro-medication for cancer therapies. However, the possible cytotoxicity impacts of bacteria, their inability to entirely lyse cancerous cells, as well as the probability of mutations in their genomes are among the significant challenges of bacteria-based methods for cancer treatment. In this article, various available data on bacterial therapeutics, along with their pros and cons, are discussed.

Checkpoint Inhibitors and the Gut

Checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized treatments in modern oncology, including many conditions previously relegated to palliative therapies only. However, emerging recognition of checkpoint inhibitor-related adverse events has complicated the status of checkpoint inhibitor-related therapies. This review article discusses gastrointestinal adverse events as a result of checkpoint inhibitor therapy, as well as limitations of current guidelines, thus providing recommendations for guideline revision and future study direction.

Prevalence of dermatological toxicities in patients with melanoma undergoing immunotherapy: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized advanced melanoma care; however, their cutaneous side effects have not been definitively elucidated.

Objective

To identify the prevalence of cutaneous toxicity in patients with melanoma treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors as monotherapy and/or in combination with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy.

Materials and methods

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis, which encompassed both clinical trials and observational studies describing the dermatological toxicities in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. The protocol was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Review under the number CRD42018091915. The searches were performed using the CINAHL, Cochrane CENTRAL, LILACS, LIVIVO, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. The methodological quality of the studies was evaluated with the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Studies Reporting Prevalence Data

Results

A total of 9,802 articles were identified in the databases. The final sample comprised 39 studies. The evaluated drugs were ipilimumab, tremelimumab, pembrolizumab, and nivolumab. The results suggest that the most prevalent side effect was grade 1 and 2 pruritus (24%), followed by grade 1 and 2 rash (21%) and grade 1 and 2 vitiligo (10%).

Conclusion

The most prevalent side effects in patients treated with checkpoint inhibitors are pruritus, rash, and vitiligo, and they are rated mostly as grades 1 and 2 adverse events. Remarkably, vitiligo is most commonly found in patients treated with PD-1 inhibitors.

Treating Through Drug-Associated Exanthems in Drug Allergy Management: Current Evidence and Clinical Aspects

In the setting of an acute cutaneous adverse drug reaction there is increasing interest in selected phenotypes and hosts to continue drug therapy, especially in settings in which there are limited therapeutic options. This concept of "treating through," defined as the continued use of a drug in the setting of, in particular maculopapular exanthema, potentially avoids unnecessary drug discontinuation. A review of the recent literature, historical viewpoints, and expert opinion are provided within to form recommendations and algorithms for a "treating-through" approach.

Mapping endocrine toxicity spectrum of immune checkpoint inhibitors: a disproportionality analysis using the WHO adverse drug reaction database, VigiBase

PURPOSE

Our study aimed to map endocrine toxicity spectrum of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs).

METHODS

We obtained data from VigiBase, between January 1, 2011 and March 6, 2019. All endocrine adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were classified by group queries according to the Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities. Disproportionality analysis was performed with information component (IC) and reporting odds ratio (ROR). We used IC to identify meaningful endocrinopathies associated with ICIs and ROR to compare differences between ICI subgroups of ADRs. IC₀₂₅ (lower end of the 95% confidence interval of IC) is considered significant if larger than 0.

RESULTS

In all, 6089 reports for endocrinopathies associated with ICIs were involved, with a male to female ratio of 1.5:1. The disproportionality analysis indicated significance of not only common endocrinopathies: thyroid dysfunction, hypophysitis/hypopituitarism, adrenal insufficiency, T1DM, fulminant T1DM (IC₀₂₅: 4.12-6.62), but also rare endocrinopathies: hypoparathyroidism, diabetes insipidus, hypogonadism (IC₀₂₅: 1.56-2.04). Increased risk of ADR reporting emerged in anti-CTLA-4 (e.g., hypophysitis/hypopituitarism, adrenal insufficiency) or in anti-PD-1/PD-L1 (e.g., thyroid dysfunction, T1DM, fulminant T1DM). In general, combination therapy (anti-CTLA-4 plus anti-PD-1/PD-L1) had a stronger association with endocrinopathies than monotherapy (ROR: 2.8, 95% CI: 2.5-3.1). Onset time of common endocrinopathies differed between different ICI therapies, typically within 12 weeks in anti-CTLA-4 monotherapy but diffusely ranging from 0 to 48 weeks in anti-PD-1 monotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study shows rising reporting frequencies of endocrinopathies caused by ICIs, especially aggravated in combination therapy. Clinicians should be early aware of latent endocrine toxicity and different onset time of endocrinopathies when implementing ICI therapies.

Management Considerations for Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Induced Enterocolitis Based on Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

BACKGROUND

Immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy has significantly improved the outcomes of various advanced malignancies that were deemed unruly prior to its invention. Immune-mediated diarrhea and enterocolitis are among the most frequently encountered adverse events of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. Given the increasing use of these therapies in the treatment of an ever-growing number of malignancies, providing appropriate treatment for such adverse effects has become crucial.

METHODS

In this review, we summarize the current body of evidence concerning the management of immune-mediated diarrhea and enterocolitis. Additionally, management of immune-mediated diarrhea and enterocolitis is likened to that of inflammatory bowel disease, given the resemblance between both entities in pathogenesis and clinical features. Reviewing the literature raised several points regarding this devastating toxicity that still need further investigation by future efforts.

RESULTS

Endoscopic and histologic evaluation is pivotal in the assessment of immune-mediated diarrhea and enterocolitis and provides vital information regarding the severity of the disease to guide treatment. Corticosteroids are the main therapy for immune-mediated diarrhea and enterocolitis, with infliximab and vedolizumab as second-line agents. Recently, fecal microbiota transplantation has emerged as a treatment option for immune-mediated diarrhea and enterocolitis that is refractory to corticosteroids. Restarting immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy after resolution of immune-mediated diarrhea and enterocolitis carries a risk of recurrence that is mostly controllable with current immune-suppressive treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Lastly, we propose a management algorithm for immune-mediated diarrhea and enterocolitis. Prospective research, preferably as collaborative efforts from oncology and gastroenterology specialists, is needed to refine the management of immune-mediated diarrhea and enterocolitis.

Radiation therapy and immunotherapy: what is the optimal timing or sequencing?

Radiotherapy is a component of the standard of care for many patients with locally advanced nonmetastatic tumors and increasingly those with oligometastatic tumors. Despite encouraging advances in local control and progression-free and overall survival outcomes, continued manifestation of tumor progression or recurrence leaves room for improvement in therapeutic efficacy. Novel combinations of radiation with immunotherapy have shown promise in improving outcomes and reducing recurrences by overcoming tumor immune tolerance and evasion mechanisms via boosting the immune system's ability to recognize and eradicate tumor cells. In this review, we discuss preclinical and early clinical evidence that radiotherapy and immunotherapy can improve treatment outcomes for locally advanced and metastatic tumors, elucidate underlying molecular mechanisms and address strategies to optimize timing and sequencing of combination therapy for maximal synergy.

Immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced colitis: A comprehensive review

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are monoclonal antibodies that target down-regulators of the anti-cancer immune response: Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4, programmed cell death protein-1, and its ligand programmed death-ligand 1. ICIs have revolutionized the treatment of a variety of malignancies. However, many immune-related adverse events have also been described which mainly occurs as the immune system becomes less suppressed, affecting various organs including the gastrointestinal tract and causing diarrhea and colitis. The incidence of immune-mediated colitis (IMC) ranges from 1%-25% depending on the type of ICI and if used in combination. Endoscopically and histologically there is a significant overlap between IMC and inflammatory bowel disease, however more neutrophilic inflammation without chronic inflammation is usually present in IMC. Corticosteroids are recommended for grade 2 or more severe colitis while holding the immunotherapy. About one third to two thirds of patients are steroid refractory and benefit from infliximab. Recently vedolizumab has been found to be efficacious in steroid and infliximab refractory cases. While in grade 4 colitis, the immunotherapy is permanently discontinued, the decision is controversial in grade 3 colitis.

Pilot trial of K562/GM-CSF whole-cell vaccination in MDS patients

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a heterogeneous group of clonal hematopoietic stem cell malignancies. Currently, approved drugs are given with non-curative intent as the only known cure is allogeneic bone marrow transplantation, which relies on the donor's immune system driving an allogeneic effect. Previous efforts to harness the endogenous immune system have been less successful. We present the results of a pilot study of K562/GM-CSF (GVAX) whole-cell vaccination in MDS patients. The primary objective of safety was met as there were no serious adverse events. One patient had a decrease in transfusion requirements and another demonstrated hematologic improvement suggesting a signal for clinical activity. In vitro correlative studies indicated biological effects on immune cells following vaccination. Although only a pilot study, results are encouraging that an immunotherapeutic approach with a whole-cell vaccine may be feasible in MDS patients.

Baker's Yeast Induces Apoptotic Effects and Histopathological Changes on Skin Tumors in Mice

The current study investigates the apoptotic effect of Baker’s yeast (S. cerevisiae) on chemically-induced skin cancer in mice. Intra-tumoral treatment with yeast caused: increases in Ca²⁺ in skin homogenate, modulated the intrinsic/extrinsic pathways by downregulating Bcl-2 and FasL, upregulating Bax, and increased the expression of cytochrome-c and caspases 9, 8, and 3. Histopathological changes were detected, including mild dysplasia, atypia, tumor regression, and absence of basaloid cell proliferation. No toxic effects were detected, as examined by histopathological, biochemical, and body weight analysis. These results show that yeast exerts anti-skin cancer activity, suggesting its possible use for treatment of human skin cancer.

Analysis of Drug Development Paradigms for Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors

Immune checkpoint inhibitors have unique toxicities and response kinetics compared with cytotoxic and gene-targeted anticancer agents. We investigated the impact of innovative/accelerated immunotherapy drug development/approval models on the accuracy of safety and efficacy assessments by searching the FDA website. Initial phase I trials for each agent were reviewed and safety and efficacy data compared with that found in later trials leading to regulatory approvals of the same agents. As of June 2017, the FDA approved six checkpoint inhibitors for a variety of cancer types. All checkpoint inhibitors received a priority review status and access to at least two additional FDA special access programs, more often breakthrough therapy designation and accelerated approval. Median clinical development time (investigational new drug application to approval) was 60.77 months [avelumab had the shortest timeline (52.33 months)]. Response rates during early phase I trials (median = 16%) are higher than for phase I trials of other agents (with the exception of gene-targeted agents tested with a biomarker). Doses approved were usually not identical to doses recommended on phase I trials. Approximately 50% of types of immune-related and 43% of types of clinically relevant toxicities from later trials were identified in early-phase trials. Even so, treatment-related mortality remains exceedingly low in later studies (0.33% of patients). In conclusion, efficacy and safety of immune checkpoint inhibitors appear to be reasonably predicted from the dose-finding portion of phase I trials, indicating that the fast-track development of these agents is safe and justified. Clin Cancer Res; 24(8); 1785-94. ©2017 AACR.

Fatal orthotopic liver transplant organ rejection induced by a checkpoint inhibitor in two patients with refractory, metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma

Although checkpoint inhibitor therapies have demonstrated significant efficacy in many malignancies, they have not been well studied in patients with a history of solid organ transplant. We describe two patients with recurrent, refractory, and progressive advanced fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) following orthotopic liver transplantation who received programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitor, nivolumab, on a patient access, off-label basis. Both rapidly developed irreversible acute liver rejection shortly after starting therapy, and ultimately died. While checkpoint inhibitors clearly have tremendous potential as a targeted therapy, they should be avoided or used with extreme caution in the context of an organ transplant.