scholarly journals Association between Incidental Statin Use and Skeletal Myopathies in Patients Treated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors

Author(s):  
Zsofia D Drobni ◽  
Sean P Murphy ◽  
Raza M Alvi ◽  
Charlotte Lee ◽  
Jingyi Gong ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose Skeletal myopathies are highly morbid, and in rare cases even fatal, immune-related adverse events (irAE) associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). Skeletal myopathies are also a recognized statin-associated side-effect. It is unknown whether concurrent use of statins and ICIs increases the risk of skeletal myopathies. Patients and Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of all patients who were treated with an ICI at a single academic institution (Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA). The primary outcome of interest was the development of a skeletal myopathy. The secondary outcome of interest was an elevated creatine kinase level (above the upper limit of normal). Results Among 2757 patients, 861 (31.2%) were treated with a statin at the time of ICI start. Statin users were older, more likely to be male and had a higher prevalence of cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular co-morbidities. During a median follow-up of 194 days (Inter quartile range 65-410), a skeletal myopathy occurred in 33 patients (1.2%) and was more common among statin users (2.7 vs. 0.9%, P < 0.001). Creatine kinase (CK) elevation was present in 16.3% (114/699) and was higher among statin users (20.0 vs. 14.3%, P = 0.067). In a multivariable Cox model, statin therapy was associated with a >2-fold higher risk for skeletal myopathy (HR, 2.19; 95% CI, 1.07-4.50; P = 0.033). Conclusions In this large cohort of ICI-treated patients, a higher risk was observed for skeletal myopathies and elevation in CK levels in patients undergoing concurrent statin therapy. Prospective observational studies are warranted to further elucidate the potential association between statin use and ICI-associated myopathies.

Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingyi Gong ◽  
Zsofia Drobni ◽  
Raza Alvi ◽  
Sean Murphy ◽  
Sarah Hartmann ◽  
...  

Introduction: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) lead to immune activation, increased inflammation and cancer cell death. Both immune activation and inflammation are critical pathobiological drivers for venous thromboembolism (VTE). There are no robust data testing the effect of ICIs on the risk of developing VTE. Methods: This is a retrospective study of 2854 patients who received ICIs at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. VTE events, defined as a composite of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE), were identified by individual chart review and were blindly adjudicated using standard criteria. A case-crossover design was applied with an “at-risk period” defined as the two-year period after and the “control period” as the two years prior to treatment. Incidence rate ratio (IRR) was calculated using Poisson’s regression. Results: Immune checkpoint inhibitor use increased VTE risk by 1.84-fold from 4.85 per 100-person years to 8.91 per 100 person-years (IRR 1.84, 95% confidence interval: 1.54 - 2.19, p <0.001). Of the individual components, there was a 2.44-fold increase in DVT risk (2.30 to 5.58 per 100 person-years) and 1.68-fold increase in PE risk (2.96 to 5.00 per 100 person-years). Comparing patients with and without a VTE event, those with a VTE event after ICI initiation had a higher rate of prior VTE, lung cancer, urothelial cancer, and a higher platelet count and white blood cell count at baseline. At 6 months post ICI initiation, 165 (8.6%) patients had a VTE event and of these patients 136 (7.1%) had no prior VTE. Conclusions: Patients with cancer treated with ICIs are at increased risk of developing VTE. Whether prophylaxis for VTE among patients starting an ICI reduces this risk is unclear.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. e001427
Author(s):  
Karen Kelly ◽  
Juliane Manitz ◽  
Manish R Patel ◽  
Sandra P D’Angelo ◽  
Andrea B Apolo ◽  
...  

BackgroundAdverse events (AEs) of special interest that arise during treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors, including immune-related AEs (irAEs), have been reported to be associated with improved clinical outcomes. We analyzed patients treated with avelumab from the JAVELIN Solid Tumor and Merkel 200 trials, examining the association between AEs and efficacy while adjusting for confounding factors such as treatment duration and event order.MethodsWe analyzed efficacy and safety data from 1783 patients treated with the programmed death ligand 1 inhibitor avelumab who were enrolled in expansion cohorts of the JAVELIN Solid Tumor and Merkel 200 trials. To analyze the association between irAEs and efficacy with regard to survival, we used a time-dependent Cox model with time-varying indicators for irAEs, as well as multistate models that accounted for competing risks and time inhomogeneity.Results295 patients (16.5%) experienced irAEs and 454 patients (25.5%) experienced infusion-related reactions. There was a reduced risk of death in patients who experienced irAEs compared with those who did not (HR 0.71, 95% CI 0.59 to 0.85) using the time-dependent Cox model. The multistate model did not suggest that the occurrence of irAEs could predict response; however, it predicted a higher chance of irAEs occurring after a response. No association was observed between response and infusion-related reactions.ConclusionsPatients who experience irAEs showed improved survival. Although irAEs are not predictors for response to immune checkpoint inhibitors, increased vigilance for irAEs is needed after treatment with avelumab.Trial registration numbersNCT01772004 and NCT02155647.


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e15076-e15076
Author(s):  
PRABHSIMRANJOT SINGH ◽  
Osama Abu-Shawer ◽  
Amanda Brito ◽  
Eric Yenulevich ◽  
Shilpa Grover ◽  
...  

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


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (5_suppl) ◽  
pp. 56-56
Author(s):  
Brian Chu ◽  
Jahan J. Mohiuddin ◽  
Andrea Facciabene ◽  
Xingmei Wang ◽  
Abigail Doucette ◽  
...  

56 Background: Recent studies suggest that changes in the gut microbiome modulate response to cancer treatment, including immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). Broad-spectrum antibiotics (Abx) are known to cause significant dysbiosis. We hypothesize that recent Abx exposure worsens outcomes in patients (pts) with stage III/IV melanoma (MM) receiving ICI. Methods: We identified MM pts treated with ICI from our institutional database. All received their first ICI between 2004-2019. Antibiotic exposure was defined as receipt of Abx within 3 months prior to the first infusion of ICI. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS) and the secondary outcome was immune-mediated colitis requiring intravenous (IV) steroids. Stage III and IV pts were analyzed separately for the primary analysis. Results: Of 568 pts in our database, 20% received Abx within the 3 months prior to ICI. 36% of pts had stage III disease and 26% of pts were treated with either adjuvant or neoadjuvant ICI. 1.6% of pts died of causes other than MM. The Abx+ and Abx- groups were balanced in terms of stage, race, age, sex, BRAF status, LDH, prior systemic therapies, and class of ICI received. Only 4 pts were hospitalized due to the infection prompting the Abx, and no pts died due to the infection. In the Stage IV group, Abx+ pts had worse OS on MV analysis (HR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1-2.2). Stage III Abx+ also had worse OS (HR 2.8, 95% CI 1.3-5.9). In a sensitivity analysis excluding pts who received IV Abx or were admitted due to infection, survival was still worse for Abx+ pts (HR 1.7, 95% CI 1.2-2.4). In a Fine-Grey competing risk MV model, Abx+ had a higher rate of immune-mediated colitis requiring IV steroids (HR 2.1, 95% CI 1.02-4.5). Conclusions: In MM pts treated with ICI, receipt of Abx within 3 months prior to ICI initiation was associated with decreased OS and increased colitis. Future research should include prospective studies to better define the risk/benefit profile of antibiotics in close proximity to ICI. [Table: see text]


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sofia Verkhovskaia ◽  
Francesca Romana Di Pietro ◽  
Simona Mastroeni ◽  
Maria Luigia Carbone ◽  
Damiano Abeni ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose. Although development of immune checkpoint inhibitors has revolutionized the treatment of metastatic melanoma, more than a half of treated patients experience disease progression during therapy. Cases of spontaneous vitiligo-like leukoderma have been described in melanoma patients and have been associated with a favorable outcome. This vitiligo-like leukoderma can also appear in melanoma patients undergoing immune therapies such as immune checkpoint inhibitors. However, no consensus exists about the relationship between vitiligo-like leukoderma onset and improved overall survival. Our study investigates the possible association between the onset of vitiligo-like leukoderma during immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment and a better prognosis.Methods. A non-concurrent cohort study was conducted by identifying retrospectively 280 patients who had inoperable or metastatic melanoma and had undergone immune therapy with checkpoint inhibitors in any line of treatment. Toxicities developed during therapy were evaluated. Results. Among the 280 study participants, 50% developed at least one type of toxicity, and vitiligo-like leukoderma was observed in 43 patients (15.4%). In the multivariate Cox model, a protective effect for mortality was observed for patients with vitiligo-like leukoderma development (HR = 0.23; 95% CI = 0.11-0.44, p <0.0001). In a sub-group analysis comprising only cutaneous melanoma in first line of treatment (N=153), occurrence of vitiligo-like leukoderma was also an independent predictor factor for duration of clinical benefits measured by time to the next treatment (HR:0.17; 95% CI:0.06-0.44). Conclusion. Our findings indicate that onset of vitiligo-like leukoderma during melanoma treatment could be a marker of favorable outcome in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.


2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e18763-e18763
Author(s):  
Naga Malleswari Vutukuri ◽  
Calette Corcoran ◽  
Jill Comeau ◽  
Elizabeth Stephenson ◽  
Kavitha Beedupalli ◽  
...  

e18763 Background: Recent single-center, retrospective reviews have evaluated the effect of influenza vaccinations on the incidence and severity of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) in patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). Methods and outcomes in these studies vary. The most common medication investigated was ipilimumab, an Anti-CTLA-4 monoclonal antibody. There is limited data evaluating the incidence of irAEs in those receiving the specific ICIs, program death-1 (PD-1) and program death ligand-1 (PD-L1) inhibitors. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted including patients 18 to 89 years old who received single-agent pembrolizumab, nivolumab, atezolizumab, or durvalumab at an academic medical center from August 2015 to August 2019. The primary objective was to evaluate the incidence of irAEs in those who received an influenza vaccine compared to those who did not. Electronic health records, and the Louisiana Immunization Network for Kids (LINKS), which now collects adult information, were utilized for data collection. Chi-square tests were used to evaluate all endpoints. Results: Of the 217 charts screened, 133 were included in this study Fifty-three patients were included in the influenza vaccination group and 80 patients in the group that did not receive influenza vaccinations. The median age in those who received an influenza vaccine and in those who did not were 61 years and 62 years, respectively. The most common cancer diagnoses were lung cancer and melanoma. Ninety-one percent of patients in the vaccination group versus 81% in the group who did not receive an influenza vaccine received either nivolumab or pembrolizumab (PD-1 inhibitors). There was no statistical difference in irAEs in those who received an influenza vaccine versus those who did not (30% versus 45%, p = 0.15). The only significant secondary outcome found was the rate of irAEs in patients receiving a PD-1 inhibitor versus a PD-L1 inhibitor regardless of vaccination (42.2% versus 11.1%, p = 0.03). The majority of irAEs were grade 1 or 2. Conclusions: Based on this study, receiving an influenza vaccine does not have an influence on the risk of irAEs in those receiving ICI, specifically PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors. These outcomes may have been affected by adherence issues with yearly influenza vaccinations, inaccurate vaccine records, and receiving vaccines out of state. The statistically significant secondary outcome may have been affected by the disproportionate number of patients who were receiving a PD-1 inhibitor in this study. Larger population studies are needed to validate these findings and identify both the risk and benefit of patients receiving their yearly influenza vaccine while receiving ICI.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ming Yuan ◽  
Li Zang ◽  
Aiqing Xu ◽  
Mengqi Gong ◽  
Qing Liu ◽  
...  

Objective: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are effective anti-cancer drugs that can improve survival in cancer patients, but their use may be associated with adverse cardiovascular side effects. Therefore, there is a clinical unmet need to identify non-invasive biomarker to detect subclinical cardiac toxicity after ICI treatment. The aim of this study is to examine the plasma levels of biomarkers in cancer survivors who were treated with ICIs.Patients and Methods: In a cohort of 19 cancer patients, biomarkers were evaluated at baseline, 1 month, 3 and 6 months after ICI administration. These biomarkers, hypothesized to be mechanistically relevant to cardiotoxicity, included cardiac troponin I (cTnI), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP), N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-pro BNP), CK (creatine kinase), CK-MB (creatine kinase-MB), Pentraxin-related protein 3 (PTX3), growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), heart type-fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP) and galectin 3 (Gal-3).Results: H-FABP, but not other biomarkers, were increased at 3 months, which persisted at 6 months (529.28 ± 312.83 vs. 752.33 ± 283.65 vs. 808.00 ± 289.69 pg/ml, p = 0.031 and p = 0.013). Left ventricular ejection fraction (63.00 ± 4.15% vs. 63.74 ± 4.07%, p &gt; 0.05) was not significantly reduced at this time point.Conclusions: H-FABP, but not other biomarkers, were increased in patients who were treated using ICIs. H-FABP might be a more sensitive biomarker to detect ICI-related subclinical myocardial damage than traditional cardiac biomarkers.


2021 ◽  
Vol 77 (18) ◽  
pp. 3287
Author(s):  
Zsofia Drobni ◽  
Sean Murphy ◽  
Raza Alvi ◽  
Charlotte Lee ◽  
Jingyi Gong ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e16512-e16512
Author(s):  
Fanny Mathevet ◽  
Damien Pouessel ◽  
Jean-Yves Dauxois ◽  
Nadine Houede ◽  
Christine Chevreau ◽  
...  

e16512 Background: Immune-checkpoint-inhibitors (ICI) provide durable antitumor activity even for recurrent and/or metastatic disease. As illustrated in the Keynote-045 study (pembrolizumab (pembro.) in second line metastatic urothelial carcinoma; Fradet, 2019), improvement in long-term responder fraction does not always translate into progression-free survival (PFS) improvement. Despite a long-term benefit improvement (2 years PFS: 12.4% vs 3%), there was no significant difference in PFS (HR 0.98; 95% CI, 0.81-1.19; p=0.42). Benefits in terms of OS were not deemed sufficient by the French health authorities in charge of health technology assessment and reimbursement of medicinal products to consider that pembro. brought a significant improvement upon existing drugs in urothelial carcinoma. Thus, although recommended by scientific societies, this treatment has only been available in France since January 2020. The main objective is to illustrate the importance of using complementary statistical approaches when evaluating ICI phase III trials. Methods: PFS curves of the Keynote-045 study available in publications (Bellmunt, 2017; Fradet, 2019) were digitized to reconstruct pseudo individual patient data as per established methods. Survival rates were estimated using Kaplan-Meier method and comparison between groups were performed using Cox model. Flexible parametric survival models with cure (FPCM) were then used to estimate the treatment benefit in terms of long-term responder fraction and evaluate the treatment effect on PFS in the non–long-term responder population. Results: In both first and updated data, there were no significant between-group difference in the duration of PFS in the total population (2017: HR=0.95, 95%CI 0.79–1.15; 2019: HR=0.93, 95%CI 0.77–1.11). Using FPCM, we demonstrated that the long-term responder fraction (LRF) was higher with pembro. compared to chemotherapy (2017: Pembro 14.0% 95%CI 10.2-18.3; Chemo.: 7.7% 95%CI 4.9-11.2; 2019: Pembro 11.0% 95%CI 7.8-14.9; Chemo.: 4.6% 95%CI 2.7-7.3). Differences in LRF were estimated to 6.3% (95%CI 1.5–11.13) and 6.4% (95%CI 2.4-10.4]) in the first and updated analysis, respectively. In the non–long-term responder population, ICI was first associated with a higher risk of progression or death and then a lower risk. Conclusions: While ICIs show a substantial shift towards long-term benefit in terms of PFS, greater emphasis should be placed on rigorously evaluating this quantity instead of only reporting Kaplan-Meier estimation or comparing PFS curves using classical Cox model. Despite the long-term responder fraction improvement was constant between analysis, relative variations in LRFs were observed. This suggests that the follow-up of this study was not long enough to properly characterize long term responders.


2017 ◽  
Vol 23 ◽  
pp. 176-177
Author(s):  
Kaitlyn Steffensmeier ◽  
Bahar Cheema ◽  
Ankur Gupta

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