Granulomatous/sarcoid-like lesions associated with checkpoint inhibitors: a marker of therapy response in a subset of melanoma patients

The Utility of Laboratory Investigations for the Assessment and Management of Rheumatic Immune Related Adverse Events

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have greatly improved survival of several cancers with historically very poor prognosis. ICIs act by stimulating the patient's own immune system to fight cancer. Simultaneously, this immune activation can lead to immune-related adverse events (irAEs), including rheumatic manifestations (Rh-irAEs). Rh-irAEs mimic primary rheumatic diseases including arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, myositis, vasculitis, sarcoidosis, and sicca. This article summarizes the latest evidence regarding the utility of laboratory investigations in Rh-irAEs.

Recommencement of atezolizumab with associated pulmonary sarcoid-like reaction

An 81 year old male with Child-Pugh A cirrhosis and metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with 3-weekly atezolizumab and bevacizumab developed a pulmonary sarcoid-like reaction (SLR) after 5 months. Atezolizumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor, was identified as the likely culprit. He was treated with prednisolone, resulting in improvement, and was successfully rechallenged with both atezolizumab and bevacizumab.

Sarcoid-like reaction and hypothyroidism induced by PD-1 inhibitor treatment in metastatic renal cell carcinoma: a case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Pembrolizumab is among the approved treatments for a variety of cancer types, including clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). It has contributed to enhancing the prognosis of renal cell carcinoma. However, it is essential to be aware of the numerous potential immune-related side effects associated with its use.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 69-year-old patient with a history of metastatic renal cell carcinoma has been undergoing treatment with Pembrolizumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor. The medication has led to the development of a sarcoid-like reaction, initially misinterpreted as cancer recurrence and progression. Additionally, the patient has experienced new-onset hypothyroidism, which has been attributed to the immunotherapy.

CONCLUSION

Clinicians, including oncologists, endocrinologists, and radiologists, should maintain a high level of suspicions and awareness regarding the potential adverse events associated with newly introduced immunotherapies like pembrolizumab. This knowledge is crucial for the accurate diagnosis and appropriate management of patients receiving these treatments.

Sarcoid-like Reactions to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) can cause immune-mediated cutaneous adverse events, including sarcoid-like reactions. The aim of this study was to retrospectively analyze clinical and histologic data from patients who developed cutaneous sarcoid-like reactions between 2019 and 2022 while under treatment with ICIs. We studied 7 patients (6 women and 1 man) with a median age of 65years. Median time to onset of symptoms was 4months. The most common presentation was papular sarcoidosis of the knees followed by subcutaneous sarcoidosis. Diagnosis was confirmed histologically in all cases, and no differences were observed relative to idiopathic sarcoidosis. Discontinuation of ICI therapy was required in just two patients. ICI-induced sarcoid-like reactions tend to be mild and generally do not require treatment discontinuation. Histologic confirmation is essential for distinguishing these reactions from tumor progression.

[Translated article] Sarcoid-like Reactions to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) can cause immune-mediated cutaneous adverse events, including sarcoid-like reactions. The aim of this study was to retrospectively analyze clinical and histologic data from patients who developed cutaneous sarcoid-like reactions between 2019 and 2022 while under treatment with ICIs. We studied 7 patients (6 women and 1 man) with a median age of 65years. Median time to onset of symptoms was 4months. The most common presentation was papular sarcoidosis of the knees followed by subcutaneous sarcoidosis. Diagnosis was confirmed histologically in all cases, and no differences were observed relative to idiopathic sarcoidosis. Discontinuation of ICI therapy was required in just two patients. ICI-induced sarcoid-like reactions tend to be mild and generally do not require treatment discontinuation. Histologic confirmation is essential for distinguishing these reactions from tumor progression.

Sarcoidosis-like reaction induced by immune checkpoint inhibitor in a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma: a case report

Nowadays, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have become the cornerstone of treatment for many tumors, either as monotherapy or in combination with other therapies. However, these drugs are associated with several new side effects that need early detection. We present the case of a 41-year-old male patient who has been diagnosed with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with metastatic retroperitoneal lymph nodes and a subdiaphragmatic metastatic lesion, undergoing second-line treatment with a combination of nivolumab and ipilimumab. After completing four cycles, the patient was admitted to the hospital due to intermittent fever and profuse sweating. A CT scan showed multiple pathologically enlarged lymph nodes in several locations, raising suspicion of disease progression. The patient's clinical progress was favorable after symptomatic treatment (antipyretics) and was discharged one week after admission. Several days later, the patient complained about painful bilateral ocular redness and was diagnosed with bilateral anterior uveitis. Further blood tests showed elevated angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) levels of 67 U/L (normal range: 8 - 52) and decreasing alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels of 698 ng/mL (previously 1210 ng/mL), indicative of non-progression of the oncological disease. Finally, an excisional biopsy confirmed the presence of non-necrotizing granulomatous lymphadenitis, leading to the diagnosis of sarcoidosis-like reaction (SLR) induced by immunotherapy as the etiology of the polyadenopathy syndrome. SLR, although uncommon, is an adverse effect of ICI treatment resulting from immune system dysregulation, which can mimic disease progression. It is crucial to be aware of this adverse event and to understand the optimal management approach.

Immunotherapy-induced exclusively cutaneous sarcoid-like reaction

Sarcoid-like reactions (SLRs) are rare, granulomatous inflammatory reactions to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) that can involve any organ but frequently affect the lungs, mediastinal lymph nodes and skin. We present a rare case of an exclusively cutaneous SLR due to pembrolizumab that clinically resembled dermatomyositis. A literature review yielded only 12 previously reported cases of ICI-induced cutaneous SLR without any systemic involvement. Our case highlights the diversity of presentations of cutaneous SLR and emphasises the importance of histological evaluation of new cutaneous eruptions.

Hilar/mediastinal and cutaneous drug-induced sarcoidosis-like reaction associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors in metastatic colorectal cancer: a case report

Background

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are the standard treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) with high microsatellite instability (MSI-H). Among immune-related adverse events (irAEs), drug-induced sarcoidosis-like reactions (DISR) are often difficult to differentiate from cancer progression.

Main Body

This is a case of a woman in her mid-60s, with mCRC (RAS wild/BRAF mutant/MSI-H) and abdominal lymph node metastasis, treated with four courses of ipilimumab + nivolumab every 3 weeks, followed by nivolumab every 2 weeks as third-line treatment. After treatment, the original lymph node metastases shrank, but hilar/mediastinal lymph nodes appeared. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration of these lymph nodes revealed multiple epithelioid granulomas without necrosis, indicating a sarcoidosis-like reaction. Fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography scan showed abnormal subcutaneous accumulation in bilateral forearms and bilateral knee joints. Biopsy of the cutaneous lesions was also performed, which revealed epithelioid granulomas. As the patient had no symptoms in other organs, no specific therapeutic intervention was administered. After the discontinuation of immunotherapy, the sarcoidosis-like reaction regressed without cancer relapse.

Conclusions

Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of DISR as an irAE during the ICI treatment of mCRC. In suspected cases of DISR following ICI therapy, it is important to differentiate between cancer progression and DISR through histological diagnosis for the subsequent strategy, as radiological and serological findings are not definitive.

Cutaneous Side Effects of Modern Targeted Therapy and Immunotherapy in Patients with Dermatological Malignancies

The advent of immunotherapy and targeted therapies in treating dermatological malignancies has dramatically changed the landscape of dermato-oncology in recent years. Their superior efficacy compared to previous therapeutic options, such as chemotherapy, has resulted in their use in treating devastating malignancies, such as melanoma or unresectable/metastatic basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma. Skin toxicity is a critical safety consideration, among other adverse reactions, that can occur under treatment with these agents. This article aims to summarize the cutaneous side effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors and targeted dermato-oncological therapies. Although the skin side effects of these agents are primarily mild, they can occasionally affect the decision for treatment continuation and the quality of life of the affected patients. Therefore, physicians must be acquainted with the specific cutaneous toxicity profile of such treatments to mitigate their impact on the patients and optimize the overall outcome of dermato-oncological therapy.

Granulomatous and Sarcoid-like Immune-Related Adverse Events following CTLA4 and PD1 Blockade Adjuvant Therapy of Melanoma: A Combined Analysis of ECOG-ACRIN E1609 and SWOG S1404 Phase III Trials and a Literature Review

BACKGROUND

Treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has been linked to granulomatous and sarcoid-like lesions (GSLs) affecting different organs. This study sought to evaluate GSL incidence in patients with high-risk melanoma treated with cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA4) or programmed cell death 1 (PD1) blockade adjuvant therapy in two clinical trials: ECOG-ACRIN E1609 and SWOG S1404. Descriptions and GSL severity ratings were recorded.

METHODS

Data were collected from ECOG-ACRIN E1609 and SWOG S1404. Descriptive statistics along with GSL severity grades were reported. Additionally, a literature review for such cases was summarized.

RESULTS

A total of 11 GSL cases were reported among 2878 patients treated with either ICI or with High-Dose Interferon Alfa-2b (HDI) in ECOG-ACRIN E1609 and SWOG S1404 trials. Cases were numerically more commonly reported with ipi10, followed by pembrolizumab, ipi3, and HDI, respectively. Most of the cases were grade III. Further, organs involved included lung, mediastinal lymph nodes, skin and subcutaneous tissue, and eye. Furthermore, a summary of 62 reports in the literature was described.

CONCLUSIONS

GSLs following anti-CTLA4 and anti-PD1 antibody therapy in patients with melanoma were reported unusually. Reported cases ranged in grade from I to III and appeared manageable. Careful attention to these events and their reporting will be essential to better guide practice and management guidelines.

Cutaneous Adverse Reactions of Immunotherapy in Patients with Advanced Melanoma

Immune checkpoint blockers (ICBs) have been widely used during the last decade for the treatment of various tumors, including advanced and metastatic melanoma. While these agents have improved melanoma patients’ survival rates, they have also been associated with various autoimmune toxicities, with the skin being most commonly affected. The severity of cutaneous toxicity can not only negatively affect patients’ quality of life but can also limit the proper treatment of cancer. Thus, the role of the dermatologist is substantial in early detecting and promptly treating these adverse events. Maculopapular rash, psoriasiform, lichenoid dermatoses and bullous pemphigoid are the most frequent cutaneous adverse events that require immediate intervention. Other rare autoimmune toxicities, e.g., sarcoidosis, dermatomyositis or subacute lupus, have also been reported. In this review, we summarize the aspects of ICB-induced cutaneous toxicities in patients with melanoma, emphasizing their management and treatment options in clinical practice.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors and kidney disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have changed the landscape of cancer treatment. However, use of ICIs can be limited by inflammatory toxicities referred to as immune-related adverse events (irAEs). ICI-associated acute kidney injury (ICI-associated AKI) affects 3-5% of ICI users.

RECENT FINDINGS

With the rapidly growing indication of ICI, knowledge of ICI-associated kidney toxicity has also expanded from case series to large multicentre cohort studies. In this review, we discuss the clinical features, risk factors, clinicopathological correlations and prognosis of ICI-associated AKI from the most recent rigorously conducted retrospective cohort studies. We also discuss recent advances in diagnostic biomarker investigation, treatment and the unique challenge faced in the kidney transplant population.

SUMMARY

With more comprehensive understanding of the clinical features and risk factors, ICI-associated AKI is commonly diagnosed clinically, especially given the inherent challenges performing a kidney biopsy in the cancer population; however, this highlights the urgent need for improved noninvasive diagnostic biomarkers to aid diagnosis and prognosis. Prospective studies are needed to better define the optimal treatment of ICI-associated AKI and to minimize the risk of graft loss in patients with kidney transplant who require ICIs.

Adverse effects under immune checkpoint inhibitors on [18F]FDG PET/CT imaging

Despite their undisputed contribution to the management of various tumors and the prolongation of patient survival, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) exert their effect at the cost of toxicity. In the context of the activation of the host immune system triggered by ICIs, collateral, inflammatory side effects, commonly addressed as immune-related adverse events (irAEs) often occur. Early detection of irAEs can be critical for adequate decisions on patient management that may subsequently improve patient outcome. Moreover, the emergence of irAEs has been linked with the antitumor effect elicited by ICIs, thus, their identification may potentially provide prognostic information. Although the diagnosis of irAEs is mainly clinical, some adverse events may be asymptomatic and only diagnosed by imaging modalities. At the same time, radiological signs of irAEs are not necessarily associated with clinical symptoms, however, clinicians should be alerted to their presence. Among imaging modalities [¹⁸F]FDG PET/CT has shown satisfying efficiency in response assessment and monitoring of ICIs' treatment, especially in patients suffering from metastatic melanoma and lung cancer. In this context, [¹⁸F]FDG PET/CT may also be a valuable method for surveillance of irAEs during immunotherapy. This article aims to review the most common adverse events observed on [¹⁸F]FDG PET/CT under immunotherapy and summarize potential results linking PET signs of irAEs with response assessment to ICIs.

Immunotherapy-induced granulomatous reaction in patients with melanoma

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) represent a new era in stage IV melanoma treatment. These agents are generally well tolerated but have specific side effects. The granulomatous reaction is one of such ICI-related adverse events. In this report, we present the cases of three patients with stage IV melanoma who all developed mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy during ICI treatment. While a complete response was observed in one patient, near complete responses were observed in the other two patients. Amid these favorable outcomes, all patients developed mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy approximately 6 months after the initiation of immunotherapy. Biopsies were performed to explore the underlying pathology of the lymph nodes, which revealed granulomatous reactions rather than metastases. Hence, immunotherapy was continued in all patients. The development of granulomatous lymphadenitis associated with ICIs may mimic disease recurrence/progression clinically and radiographically. Awareness of such type of adverse event is crucial to decide whether to continue therapy or not.

Pembrolizumab-associated erythema nodosum in the treatment of metastatic melanoma

A 66-year-old woman receiving pembrolizumab for metastatic melanoma presented with tender red nodules on her shins and forearms. Biopsy was consistent with erythema nodosum (EN). The eruption responded to oral minocycline and potent topical steroids. Subsequent investigations detected bihilar lymphadenopathy, biopsied as granulomatous lymphadenitis, confirming the diagnosis of pembrolizumab-associated sarcoidosis. Pembrolizumab was stopped for two cycles and was restarted without recrudescence of EN or bihilar lymphadenopathy. Immunotherapy-associated sarcoidosis is a rare but recognized adverse event related to therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors. EN is an uncommon manifestation of immunotherapy-induced sarcoidosis. New-onset bihilar lymphadenopathy in the context of immunotherapy requires prompt histological evaluation to differentiate between immunotherapy-associated sarcoidosis and metastatic progression. We review the literature related to immunotherapy-associated EN.

Suspected immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced pulmonary sarcoid reaction in metastatic renal cell carcinoma

We present the case of a 50-year-old male patient with metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) who developed a diffuse pulmonary opacification and lymphadenopathy during nivolumab maintenance therapy. This was diagnosed as presumed sarcoid granulomatous inflammatory reaction secondary to immunotherapy, which resolved with holding off therapy and the nivolumab was resumed.

The Meaning of Lymphadenopathies During Adjuvant Durvalumab After Chemoradiotherapy for Lung Cancer: Thinking Beyond Disease Progression

Immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have become the mainstay of treatment for many malignancies. With this new strategy, relevant immune-related adverse events (irAEs) have been reported, some of which can be mistaken for disease progression. To better illustrate the current challenges in diagnosing and managing a patient under adjuvant ICI treatment, we present the case of a 67-year-old female patient with stage IIIB unresectable, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated, non-small-cell lung cancer who was initially treated with chemoradiotherapy, followed by immunotherapy with durvalumab. During the course of immunotherapy, the patient presented with madarosis and erythematous and endured skin lesions, in addition to lymphadenopathies and pulmonary infiltrates. She was started on first-line palliative treatment with an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor. After reviewing the case, a multidisciplinary team meeting suggested diagnostic procedures, including a transbronchial needle aspiration from mediastinal lymph nodes. The histologic examination showed chronic systemic inflammation and non-caseating granulomas of the sarcoid type. In this case, palliative treatment was suspended and systemic therapy with prednisolone was initiated. The patient became asymptomatic and the previously observed radiologic abnormalities resolved. This case highlights the importance of early recognition and appropriate treatment of irAEs, mainly because these conditions remain poorly understood and are probably underdiagnosed. Considering differential diagnosis is paramount to guide clinical management, despite curative or palliative treatment intent.

Sarcoid-like Granulomatosis Associated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Melanoma

We aimed to review the clinical and biological presentation of granulomatosis associated with immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in patients with melanoma and to explore its association with classical sarcoidosis as well as with cancer response to ICI. To this end, a retrospective study on 18 melanoma patients with histologically proven ICI-induced granulomatosis over a 12-year period in a single center, as well as on 67 similar cases reported in the literature, was conducted. Results indicate ICI-induced granulomatosis is an early side effect (median time to onset: 2 months). Its clinical presentation, with predominant (90%) thoracic involvement, histopathological appearance and supposed underlying biology (involving the mTOR pathway in immune cells, Th17 polarization and TReg dysfunction) are indistinguishable from those of sarcoidosis. Moreover, it appears to be associated with ICI benefit (>65% objective response rate). Evolution is generally favorable, and symptomatic steroid treatment and/or ICI discontinuation are rarely necessary. ICI-associated granulomatosis is critical to explore for several reasons. Practically, it is essential to differentiate it from cancer progression. Secondly, this “experimental” sarcoidosis brings new elements that may help to address sarcoidosis origin and pathophysiology. Its association with ICI efficacy must be confirmed on a larger scale but could have significant impacts on patient management and biomarker definition.

Cutaneous Adverse Events Associated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: A Review Article

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have emerged as novel options that are effective in treating various cancers. They are monoclonal antibodies that target cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4), programmed cell death 1 (PD-1), and programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1). However, activation of the immune systems through ICIs may concomitantly trigger a constellation of immunologic symptoms and signs, termed immune-related adverse events (irAEs), with the skin being the most commonly involved organ. The dermatologic toxicities are observed in nearly half of the patients treated with ICIs, mainly in the form of maculopapular rash and pruritus. In the majority of cases, these cutaneous irAEs are self-limiting and manageable, and continuation of the ICIs is possible. This review provides an overview of variable ICI-mediated dermatologic reactions and describes the clinical and histopathologic presentation. Early and accurate diagnosis, recognition of severe toxicities, and appropriate management are key goals to achieve the most favorable outcomes and quality of life in cancer patients.

Case Report: Hepatic Sarcoid-Like Reaction Associated With Checkpoint Inhibition in a NSCLC Patient and a Literature Review

Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment has dramatically revolutionized the landscape of therapeutic approaches in multiple cancers, particularly, non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). With the increasing use of programmed death-1 (PD-1) inhibitors in the clinic, the emerging toxicity profile presents a novel learning curve for clinicians. Here we report the first case of an NSCLC patient displaying sarcoid/granulomatous-like reaction (SLR, also known as GLR) in the liver during an anti-PD-1 therapy which showed efficacious response of complete regression. Also, this is the first report describing the SLR induced by toripalimab, a novel PD-1 inhibitor. Given this kind of hepatic findings can be easily mistaken as metastasis, even resulting in premature use of second-line treatments. In particular, we briefly review the clinical features of all those cases reporting sarcoidosis and SLRs manifested on different organs during anti-PD-(L)1 therapy. We anticipate that these clinical cases would help to alert the attention of clinicians that SLRs, as a rare immune-related adverse event (irAE), is manageable and that histopathological analysis is necessary before interpreting it as disease progression.

Case Report: Sarcoid-Like Reactions and Tertiary Lymphoid Structures Following Dual Checkpoint Inhibition in a Patient with Early-Stage Lung Adenocarcinoma

Immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced sarcoid-like reactions and tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) are increasingly recognized but rarely reported in the same patient. We report a patient with lung adenocarcinoma who displayed sarcoid-like reactions in intrathoracic lymph nodes and tertiary lymphoid structures in surgical tumor after neoadjuvant therapy with nivolumab plus ipilimumab. Pathological examination revealed 50% residual tumor cells after treatment, and the CT evaluation of the primary tumor showed a stable disease. The patient experienced a recurrence eight months after surgery. To identify immune correlates of the limited response to immunotherapy, we conducted genomic and transcriptional assays, multiplex immunoassay, and multiplex immunohistochemistry on the pre- and post-immunotherapy tumor, lymph node, and plasma samples. TP53 R181C, KRAS G12C and SMAD4 R361H were identified as driver mutations of the tumor. In addition to abundant infiltrated lymphocytes, immunotherapy induced high levels of inhibitory components in post-treatment tissue samples, especially the FOXP3⁺ regulatory T cells in tumor and PD-L1 expression in the lymph node. Despite abundant TLSs in the post-treatment tumor, most TLSs were immature. Moreover, increasing levels of circulating checkpoint proteins BTLA, TIM-3, LAG-3, PD-1, PD-L1, and CTLA4 were observed during immunotherapy. Collectively, our observations revealed that high levels of immunosuppressive molecules in tumor, lymph nodes and/or in peripheral blood might indicate poor outcomes after immunotherapy, even in the setting of a patient with concurrent sarcoid-like reactions and tertiary lymphoid structures.

Electrolyte and Acid-Base Disorders associated with Cancer Immunotherapy

Novel immunotherapy drugs have changed the landscape of cancer medicine. Immune checkpoint inhibitors and chimeric antigen receptor T cells are being used and investigated in almost all solid cancers. Immune-related adverse events have been associated with immunotherapies. Acute kidney injury has been the most commonly associated kidney adverse event. In this review, we showcase the several associated electrolyte disorders seen with immunotherapy. Immune checkpoint inhibitors can lead to hyponatremia by several mechanisms, with the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis being the most common. Endocrine causes of hyponatremia are rare. Hypokalemia is not uncommon and is associated with both proximal and distal renal tubular acidosis. Hypercalcemia associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors has led to some interesting observations including immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced parathyroid hormone - related peptide production, sarcoid-like granulomas, and hyper-progression of the disease. Hypocalcemia and hyperphosphatemia may be seen with immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced tumor lysis syndrome. Chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy-associated electrolyte disorders are also common. This is associated chiefly with hyponatremia, although other electrolyte abnormalities can occur. Early recognition and prompt diagnosis may help providers manage the mechanistically varied and novel electrolyte disorders associated with immunotherapy.

Pulmonary Toxicities of Immunotherapy

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are a form of immunotherapy that are increasingly being used in a wide variety of cancers. Immune-related adverse events (irAEs) pose a major challenge in the treatment of cancer patients. Pneumonitis, the most common lung irAE, can cause significant disruptions in the treatment of cancer and may be life-threatening. The goal of this chapter is to instruct readers on the incidence and clinical manifestations of pneumonitis and to offer guidance in the evaluation and treatment of patients with pneumonitis.

Sarcoidosis-like reaction after neoadjuvant pembrolizumab combined with chemotherapy mimicking disease progression of NSCLC induced encouraging discovery of pathological complete response

Neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy has demonstrated improved efficacy and prognosis in stage IIa–IIIb patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Drug‐induced sarcoidosis‐like reaction (DISR), an autoimmune reaction, has been reported as a type of immune‐related adverse event that may mimic disease progression. Here, we report the case of patient with NSCLC who developed DISR during neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy and finally achieved pathological complete response after surgery.

Pulmonary adverse events due to immune checkpoint inhibitors: A literature review

Cancer immunotherapy aims to stimulate the immune system to fight against tumors, utilizing the presentation of molecules on the surface of the malignant cells that can be recognized by the antibodies of the immune system. Immune checkpoint inhibitors, a type of cancer immunotherapy, are broadly used in different types of cancer, improving patients' survival and quality of life. However, treatment with these agents causes immune-related toxicities affecting many organs. The most frequent pulmonary adverse event is pneumonitis representing a non-infective inflammation localized to the interstitium and alveoli. Other lung toxicities include airway disease, pulmonary vasculitis, sarcoid-like reactions, infections, pleural effusions, pulmonary nodules, diaphragm myositis and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. This review aims to summarize these pulmonary adverse events, underlining the significance of an optimal expeditious diagnosis and management.

Assessment of early metabolic progression in melanoma patients under immunotherapy: an 18F-FDG PET/CT study

BACKGROUND

The usage of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is the standard practice for the treatment of metastatic melanoma. However, a significant amount of patients show no response to immunotherapy, while issues on its reliable response interpretation exist. Aim of this study was to investigate the phenomenon of early disease progression in 2-deoxy-2-(18F)fluoro-D-glucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in melanoma patients treated with ICIs.

METHODS

Thirty-one patients under ICIs serially monitored with 18F-FDG PET/CT were enrolled. All patients exhibited progressive metabolic disease (PMD) after two ICIs' cycles according to the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) criteria, and were characterized as unconfirmed PMD (uPMD). They were further followed with at least one PET/CT for either confirmation of PMD (cPMD) or demonstration of pseudoprogression remission. Patients were also evaluated with the PET Response Evaluation Criteria for Immunotherapy (PERCIMT). Moreover, in an attempt to investigate immune activation, the spleen to liver ratios (SLRmean, SLRmax) of 18F-FDG uptake were measured.

RESULTS

Median follow up was 69.7 months [64.6-NA]. According to EORTC, 26/31 patients with uPMD eventually showed cPMD (83.9%) and 5/31 patients showed pseudoprogression (16.1%). Patients with cPMD (n = 26) had a median OS of 10.9 months [8.5-NA], while those with pseudoprogression (n = 5) did not reach a median OS [40.9-NA]. Respectively, after application of PERCIMT, 2/5 patients of the pseudoprogression group were correctly classified as non-PMD, reducing the uPMD cohort to 29 patients; eventually, 26/29 patients demonstrated cPMD (89.7%) and 3/29 pseudoprogression (10.3%). One further patient with pseudoprogression exhibited transient, sarcoid-like, mediastinal/hilar lymphadenopathy, a known immune-related adverse event (irAE). Finally, patients eventually showing cPMD exhibited a significantly higher SLRmean than those showing pseudoprogression after two ICIs' cycles (p = 0.038).

CONCLUSION

PET/CT, performed already after administration of two ICIs' cycles, can identify the majority of non-responders in melanoma immunotherapy. In order to tackle however, the non-negligible phenomenon of pseudoprogression, another follow-up PET/CT, the usage of novel response criteria and vigilance over emergence of radiological irAEs are recommended. Moreover, the investigation of spleen glucose metabolism may offer further prognostic information in melanoma patients under ICIs.

Immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated sarcoidosis: A usually benign disease that does not require immunotherapy discontinuation

OBJECTIVE

To analyse the clinical patterns of sarcoidosis triggered by immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in patients with cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The ImmunoCancer International Registry is a big data-sharing multidisciplinary network from 18 countries dedicated to evaluating the clinical research of immune-related adverse events related to cancer immunotherapies.

RESULTS

We identified 32 patients with biopsy-proven sarcoidosis. Underlying cancer included mainly melanoma (n = 24). Cancer immunotherapy consisted of monotherapy in 19 cases (anti-PD-1 in 18 and ipilimumab in 1) or combined ipilimumab + nivolumab in 13. The time median interval between initiation of ICI and sarcoidosis diagnosis was 3 months (range, 2-29 months). The use of combined ICI was associated with a shorter delay in developing sarcoidosis symptoms. The disease was symptomatic in 19 (59%) cases with mostly cutaneous, respiratory and general symptoms. The organs involved included mainly the mediastinal lymph nodes (n = 32), the lungs (n = 11), the skin (n = 10) and the eyes (n = 5). Pulmonary computed tomography studies showed bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy in all cases. There was no severe manifestation. Specific systemic therapy was required in only 12 patients (37%): oral glucocorticoids in 9, and hydroxychloroquine in 3. ICIs were held in 25 patients (78%) and definitively discontinued in 18 (56%) patients. Seven patients continued ICI treatment with a second flare in one case. In six additional patients, an ICI was reintroduced with no harm, and sarcoidosis relapsed in one of them.

CONCLUSION

Our study shows that ICI-related sarcoidosis seems to have a specific profile, possibly more benign than that of idiopathic sarcoidosis, and does not necessarily imply ICI discontinuation.

Outcomes of patients with cancer and sarcoid-like granulomatosis associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors: A case-control study

PURPOSE

Sarcoid-like granulomatosis (SLG) reaction caused by immunotherapy remains poorly understood. This study aims to investigate the outcome of patients with cancer and SLG associated with immunotherapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between April 2016 and June 2020, 434 patients with immunological adverse events were screened from the ImmunoTOX assessment board of Gustave Roussy, an academic cancer centre in France. Among them, 28 patients had SLG associated with immunotherapy (SLG cohort) and 406 patients had other immunological adverse events (control cohort). Clinical characteristics and outcome of patients were compared from SLG and control cohort.

RESULTS

The SLG cohort consisted of 28 patients, 14 women and 14 men, with the median (range) age of 56.5 (28.7-75.3) years. Patients in the SLG cohort with sarcoidosis were asymptomatic (only radiographical finding) in 13 (46.4%) cases; otherwise, the most frequent symptoms were dyspnoea in 8 (28.6%) patients and cough in 5 (17.8%) patients. The computerised tomography scan found sarcoidosis localisations in mediastinal or peri-hilar thoracic lymph nodes in 26 (92.9%) patients, and lung parenchymal involvement was found in 14 (50.0%) patients. The radiographic Scadding stages for sarcoidosis classification were distributed in stages 0, I, II, III and IV in 2 patients (7.1%), 13 patients (46.4%), 11 patients (39.3%), 1 patient (3.6%) and 1 patient (3.6%), respectively. Compared with patients with other immunological toxicities (cohort control), patients with sarcoidosis presented most frequently with melanoma (75.0% versus 21.9% of patients; p < 0.001) and more often received combined therapies of anti-programmed cell death 1 plus anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 protein (46.4% versus 12.6% of patients; p = 0.002). Patients with sarcoidosis had an improved overall survival (OS); the median OS was not reached in the SLG cohort and 40.4 months in the control cohort, hazard ratio = 0.232 (95% confidence interval: 0.086-0.630) (p = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

Sarcoidosis-like reactions in patients receiving immunotherapy were reported as non-severe immunological reactions in most cases and were correlated with improved OS. SLG should not be misdiagnosed as tumour progression in patients receiving immunotherapy treatment for cancer.

Nodal immune flare mimics nodal disease progression following neoadjuvant immune checkpoint inhibitors in non-small cell lung cancer

Radiographic imaging is the standard approach for evaluating the disease involvement of lymph nodes in patients with operable NSCLC although the impact of neoadjuvant immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) on lymph nodes has not yet been characterized. Herein, we present an ad hoc analysis of the NEOSTAR trial (NCT03158129) where we observed a phenomenon we refer to as “nodal immune flare” (NIF) in which patients treated with neoadjuvant ICIs demonstrate radiologically abnormal nodes post-therapy that upon pathological evaluation are devoid of cancer and demonstrate de novo non-caseating granulomas. Abnormal lymph nodes are analyzed by computed tomography and ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computer tomography to evaluate the size and the maximum standard uptake value post- and pre-therapy in NEOSTAR and an independent neoadjuvant chemotherapy cohort. NIF occurs in 16% (7/44) of patients treated with ICIs but in 0% (0/28) of patients after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. NIF is associated with an inflamed nodal immune microenvironment and with fecal abundance of genera belonging to the family Coriobacteriaceae of phylum Actinobacteria, but not with tumor responses or treatment-related toxicity. Our findings suggest that this apparent radiological cancer progression in lymph nodes may occur due to an inflammatory response after neoadjuvant immunotherapy, and such cases should be evaluated by pathological examination to distinguish NIF from true nodal progression and to ensure appropriate clinical treatment planning.

Granulomatous/sarcoid-like lesions have been reported in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Here the authors report the occurrence of “nodal immune flare”, an apparent radiological cancer progression in the nodes characterized by the absence of cancer and the presence of non-caseating granulomas, in patients with non-small cell lung cancer following neoadjuvant ICI treatment.

Surgical perspective on neoadjuvant immunotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

With a 5% improvement in 5-year overall survival achieved with current neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy, new treatments for resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are urgently needed. The use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) is established in metastatic NSCLC and is being evaluated in resectable NSCLC.

METHODS

Publications and conference databases and clinicaltrials.gov were searched for reports on clinical studies of neoadjuvant immunotherapy in patients with early resectable NSCLC.

RESULTS

Potential advantages of neoadjuvant ICI include earlier treatment of micrometastatic disease; activation of a broader, potentially durable immune response by the whole tumor and associated lymph nodes; and pathologic assessment of neoadjuvant treatment response, which may guide adjuvant therapy. Surgical considerations include delays to surgery, potential disease progression preventing curative resection, and perioperative morbidity and mortality. Surrogate endpoints of efficacy (pathologic complete response, major pathologic response) and biomarkers predictive of outcome (programmed death ligand 1 expression, tumor mutational burden and circulating tumor DNA) can accelerate clinical trial completion and early-stage treatment development; their application in neoadjuvant ICI studies in NSCLC is reviewed.

CONCLUSIONS

Phase 2 trials of neoadjuvant ICI alone or with chemotherapy showed encouraging safety and efficacy in patients with resectable NSCLC, warranting the ongoing phase 3 studies of neoadjuvant immunotherapy plus chemotherapy. Preoperative and intraoperative unresectability following neoadjuvant ICI appear comparable to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. To help thoracic surgeons and medical oncologists to distinguish amongst ICI beyond efficacy as phase 3 data emerge, surgery-related endpoints for perioperative morbidity, mortality, and complexity should be defined, standardized, incorporated into trial designs, and reported.

Drug-induced sarcoidosis-like reactions

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Sarcoidosis is a complex granulomatous disease of unknown cause. Several drug categories are able to induce a systemic granulomatous indistinguishable from sarcoidosis, known as drug-induced sarcoidosis-like reaction (DISR). This granulomatous inflammation can resolve if the medication is discontinued. In this review, we discuss recent literature on medication associated with DISR, possible pathophysiology, clinical features, and treatment.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recently, increasing reports on DISR have expanded the list of drugs associated with the systemic granulomatous eruption. Most reported drugs can be categorized as combination antiretroviral therapy, tumor necrosis factor-α antagonist, interferons, and immune checkpoint inhibitors, but reports on other drugs are also published. The proposed mechanism is enhancement of the aberrant immune response which results in systemic granuloma formation. It is currently not possible to know whether DISR represents a separate entity or is a triggered but 'true' sarcoidosis.As DISRs may cause minimal symptoms, treatment is not always necessary and the benefits of continuing the offending drug should be weighed against clinical symptoms and organ dysfunction. Treatment may involve immunosuppressive medication that is used for sarcoidosis treatment.

SUMMARY

In this article, we review recent insights in DISR: associated drug categories, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment. Additionally, we discuss possible mechanisms of DISR which can add to our knowledge of sarcoidosis pathophysiology.

Granulomatous colitis in a patient with metastatic melanoma under immunotherapy: a case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICPIs) have changed the way advanced malignancies are currently confronted, improving cancer patients' outcomes but also generating distinct immune-related (ir) adverse events. ICPIs-induced colitis is a common complication showing different clinical and histological manifestations. In the literature review, 14 cases with ICPIs related colon granulomas have been reported in 5 studies with either limited or unavailable information regarding histology. Granulomatous reactions can be mistakenly perceived as disease recurrence or progression. Better understanding and identification of this infrequent histological display can help to avoid misdiagnosis and mismanagement.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 63-year-old female patient with metastatic melanoma was admitted to the hospital with symptoms of nausea, persistent diarrhea and shivering fever under consecutive treatments with ICPIs, initially pembrolizumab and subsequently ipilimumab. Sigmoidoscopy was performed revealing mucosal edema, hyperemia and erosions of the rectum and sigmoid colon. Histological evaluation of sigmoid colon mucosa biopsies revealed an unusual colitis pattern characterized by multiple intracryptal granulomas attributed to ICPIs therapy. Steroids were administered and the patient recovered. ICPIs treatment was discontinued. The patient was subsequently treated with chemotherapy but follow up radiology showed disease progression. A re-challenge with another ICPI regimen was decided and the patient is currently under immunotherapy with stable disease regarding melanoma status and without any sign of colitis recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

The present report provides detailed histological description of a distinctive ICPIs-induced granulomatous colitis and highlights the need for awareness of the distinct adverse events and reaction patterns in the context of immunotherapy.

Cutaneous Toxicities in the Setting of Immune Checkpoint Blockade:: The Era of Oncodermatopathology

Advancements in cancer therapy with monoclonal immune checkpoint antibody blockade have impacted the practice of all medical specialties. Cutaneous immune-related adverse events (irAEs) are a frequent, unintended, off-target consequence of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy that have ushered in the era of oncodermatopathology. Knowledge of the diverse morphologic types of cutaneous irAEs from ICI therapy allows further classification of cutaneous irAEs according to major histopathologic reaction patterns. Early studies suggest that immune mechanisms of lichenoid dermatitis irAE, psoriasiform dermatitis irAE, and bullous pemphigoid irAE show some similarities and differences from their histopathologic counterparts not associated with ICI therapy.

Immune-Related Erythema Nodosum Mimicking in Transit Melanoma Metastasis on [18F]-FDG PET/CT

Early detection of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is crucial, particularly when these are likely to mimic tumor progression, as well as sarcoid-like reactions. Here, we report the case of a 68-year woman, with a history of four primary cutaneous melanomas (thickest lesion with BRAF mutation removed from the left axilla 2 years before), who was diagnosed with BRAF V600E-mutant metastatic melanoma and treated by ICI targeting the PD-1 receptor. Follow-up whole-body positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]-FDG) was performed at 15 months, and FDG-avid subcutaneous nodules on her legs were detected. A biopsy from a lesion on her right leg was obtained, and histology strongly suggested erythema nodosum. Given the isolated nature of these lesions, the normal serum Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme and the context of ICI, an immune-related sarcoid-like reaction was retained as the most likely diagnosis. Recent literature in immune-oncology suggests that erythema nodosum could be directly related to ICI(s). Although erythema nodosum is a rare occurrence with imaging features overlapping with malignancy, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of suspicious in-transit metastasis, especially when the patient is treated with ICIs and when lesions follow a bilateral distribution. In conclusion, nuclear medicine physicians should keep in mind this irAE when interpreting PET/CT scans in clinical practice in order to avoid false-positive findings.

Immunotherapy-Induced Sarcoid-Like Reaction: A Shrewd Imitator

A 40-year-old male with a right-sided neck mass was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma. A repeat positron-emission tomography after treatment with combination immunotherapy demonstrated increased hypermetabolic activity in the right supraclavicular, hilar, and mediastinal regions. Immunotherapy was discontinued and a BRAF/MEK inhibitor combination was started. Repeat imaging showed a decrease in size of the neck mass; however, hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes increased in size. A fine needle aspiration of mediastinal lymph nodes was consistent with a granulomatous process. A diagnosis of a sarcoid-like reaction (SLR) was made, and he was started on steroids. A follow-up positron emission tomography showed decreased hilar and mediastinal lymph node hypermetabolic activity. We, therefore, report this rare case of immunotherapy-induced SLR to the expanding literature on immunotherapy-related adverse effects and would like to highlight that SLR can occur in conjunction with disease progression making it challenging to distinguish between the two.

"Skin rashes" and immunotherapy in melanoma: distinct dermatologic adverse events and implications for therapeutic management

Immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown efficacy in the treatment of different cancers by stimulating the antitumoral activity of the patient’s immune system, representing a major breakthrough in the field of cancer therapy. Monoclonal antibodies including anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte–associated protein 4, anti–programmed cell death protein 1 and its ligand inhibitors have been approved for advanced melanoma among other solid cancers. Although immunotherapy demonstrated a good safety profile, a new spectrum of multisystemic immune-related adverse events has been recently reported due to their use. Cutaneous reactions represent one of the leading adverse events, often reported in literature as “skin rash”, and rarely further characterized in distinct dermatologic entities. Herein we describe the distinctive cutaneous rashes occurring during immunotherapies for advanced melanoma, discussing implications in the treatment management.

It's elemental! Siliceous diatom frustules producing sarcoid-like granulomas in the subcutis

Silica granulomas have been described on the skin and are rare; however, this is the first report of a sarcoid-like granulomatous reaction because of siliceous diatom frustules in the subcutis, making this an unprecedented case. A 41-year-old female presented with a subcutaneous nodule on the right forearm clinically suggestive of cyst, foreign body, or lipoma. Excisional biopsy revealed subcutis with a sarcoid-like granulomatous reaction in a background of fibrosis, containing abundant semitransparent, exquisitely geometric particles, mildly refringent under polarized light, highlighted by phase contrast microscopy; special stains were negative for microorganisms. Definitive characterization of the peculiar fragments was accomplished by confocal laser microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, revealing them as diatom frustules made of silicon dioxide (SiO₂ ) or silica. Diatoms are unicellular algae, their skeletons (frustules) made of silica have collected on the bottom of rivers, lakes, and oceans for thousands or millions of years and form what we know as diatomite or diatomaceous earth, which is widely used in different industries and easily available in the market. The mechanism whereby diatom frustules gained access to the patient's subcutis is enigmatic.

Use of immune checkpoint inhibitors in cancer patients with pre-existing sarcoidosis

Aim: To evaluate adverse events in cancer patients with pre-existing sarcoidosis receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Patients & methods: We retrospectively reviewed cancer patients with sarcoidosis who underwent treatment with ICI to determine frequency of sarcoidosis flares. Results: 32 patients with sarcoidosis received ICIs The median time to ICI initiation was 7 years (range: 1 month to 51 years). One patient (3%) with a 20-year remote history of sarcoidosis developed a clinically symptomatic exacerbation after three doses of atezolizumab, with hilar lymphadenopathy, subcutaneous nodules, arthritis and uveitis. Atezolizumab was discontinued and prednisone initiated. She had a fluctuating course with two additional flares. Conclusion: Frequency of flares in patients with a remote history of sarcoidosis who receive ICIs is low.

Sarcoid-like reaction in cases treated by checkpoint inhibitors

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disorder characterized by helper T cell inflammation. Sarcoid-like reaction (SLR) is a well-defined entity and may be related with several malignant disorders and/or their therapies. SLR has been reported more than 20 years ago and in recent years in cases treated by checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs). Better outcome has been reported in cases developing granulomatous reaction and/or SLRs during CPI treatments. However, these lesions clinically may be thought as disease progression and may cause to stop treatment or alterations. These therapeutic manipulations may be harmful for the patients. Clinicians should be aware of SLRs in cases treated by CPIs and tissues must be sampled and reviewed by an experienced pathologist to avoid misdiagnosis and also unnecessary CPI treatment cessations.Significance StatementClinicians should be aware of sarcoid-like reactions in cases treated by checkpoint inhibitors and tissues must be sampled and reviewed by an experienced pathologist to avoid misdiagnosis and CPI treatment stops.

Infliximab for the treatment of patients with checkpoint inhibitor-associated acute tubular interstitial nephritis

Acute tubular interstitial nephritis (ATIN) is the most frequently reported pathology in patients with checkpoint inhibitor (CPI) induced acute kidney injury (AKI). Glucocorticoid (GC) therapy and discontinuation of CPI are the mainstay of treatment to prevent permanent renal dysfunction and dialysis. However, less than 50% of patients have complete kidney recovery and relapse of ATIN can occur. Infliximab is effective in treating other immune-related adverse events but its use for the treatment of CPI-ATIN is not well established. We report the first retrospective study examining the steroid-sparing potential of infliximab in achieving durable and complete renal recovery for patients with CPI-ATIN. Data were collected from medical records of patients diagnosed with CPI-AKI with a kidney biopsy or clinical diagnosis of ATIN that was managed with GC and infliximab. Infliximab-containing regimens were used to treat 10 patients with CPI-ATIN. Four patients relapsing after GC therapy achieved durable and complete renal recovery, four patients experienced partial renal recovery, and two patients showed no improvement in kidney function. This is the first study evaluating clinical outcomes using an infliximab-containing regimen for treatment of relapsed CPI-ATIN in patients or patients failing to achieve complete response after primary therapy. Our data suggest that infliximab may be a treatment option for achieving durable and complete renal recovery in this patient population and represents a potential steroid-sparing strategy in challenging cases of CPI-ATIN. Rigorous clinical studies are warranted to evaluate the risk-benefit analysis for infliximab usage in CPI-ATIN patients.

Mediastinal FDG-positive lymph nodes simulating melanoma progression: drug-induced sarcoidosis like/lymphadenopathy related to ipilimumab

Drug-induced sarcoidosis-like reactions (DISRs) are systemic granulomatous diseases that develop in the context of a new drug onset. Ipilimumab is an immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) approved for the treatment of advanced melanoma which has been associated with DISR. Differential diagnosis between tumour progression and DISR by positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in patients treated with an ICI can be a challenge. A 31-year-old woman was diagnosed with a stage IIIB melanoma in her back. Ipilimumab 10 mg/kg was initiated. After 1 month of finishing the treatment a routine, PET/CT showed multiple enlarged mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes FDG-positive. A transbronchial biopsy showed sarcoid-like granulomatous infiltration which favoured the diagnosis of DISR related to ipilimumab. The patient remained asymptomatic and lymphadenopathy regressed progressively after 11 months. Our work highlights the importance of differentiating DISR from tumour progression, before unnecessary changes in therapeutic strategies. PET/CT is a useful diagnostic tool for its follow-up.

A Phase 2 Multi-institutional Study of Nivolumab for Patients With Advanced Refractory Biliary Tract Cancer

Importance

Currently, there is no established second-line systemic treatment for biliary tract cancer (BTC). Preclinical data have demonstrated that the presence of tumor-infiltrating CD8 T cells and programmed cell death 1 ligand 1-expressing tumor cells in the tumor microenvironment of BTC supports the rationale of using programmed cell death 1 protein blockade immunotherapy in BTC.

Objective

To evaluate anticancer activity of nivolumab in patients with advanced refractory BTC.

Design, Setting, and Participants

In this single-group, multicenter phase 2 study of nivolumab, 54 patients with histologically confirmed BTC whose disease progressed while undergoing treatment with at least 1 line but no more than 3 lines of systemic therapy were enrolled between October 5, 2016, and December 26, 2018. Analysis was performed on an intention-to-treat basis.

Interventions

Nivolumab, 240 mg, was delivered intravenously every 2 weeks for 16 weeks, and then 480 mg was delivered intravenously every 4 weeks until disease progression or unacceptable toxic effects occurred.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary end point was investigator-assessed objective response rate, and the secondary end points were progression-free survival, overall survival, and incidence of adverse events.

Results

A total of 54 patients (27 men and 27 women; median age, 65 years [range, 28-86 years]) enrolled, and 46 (22 men and 24 women; median age, 65 years [range, 28-86 years]) were examined for objective response with radiologic imaging. The investigator-assessed objective response rate was 22% (10 of 46), including 1 unconfirmed partial response, with a disease control rate of 59% (27 of 46). Central independent review found an objective response rate of 11% (5 of 46), including 1 unconfirmed partial response, with a disease control rate of 50% (23 of 46). All patients who responded to treated (hereafter referred to as responders) had mismatch repair protein-proficient tumors. The median duration of investigator-assessed response was not reached, with a median follow-up of 12.4 months. Among the intention-to-treat population, median progression-free survival was 3.68 months (95% CI, 2.30-5.69 months) and median overall survival was 14.24 months (95% CI, 5.98 months to not reached). Programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 expression in tumors was associated with prolonged progression-free survival (hazard ratio, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.10-0.51; P < .001). The most common treatment-related grade 3 or 4 toxic effects were hyponatremia (3 of 54 [6%]) and increased alkaline phosphatase (2 of 54 [4%]).

Conclusions and Relevance

This study found that nivolumab was well tolerated and showed modest efficacy with durable response in patients with refractory BTC. Further studies are warranted to verify the findings and evaluate biomarkers for improved treatment selection for patients.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02829918.