Analysis of immune-mediated reactions in patients with non-small cell lung cancer treated with nivolumab and its association with effectiveness

OBJECTIVE

To study immune-related adverse events (irAEs) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with nivolumab, as well as to assess whether these reactions could be predictors of further effectiveness of therapy.

METHODS

Retrospective, observational and longitudinal study. All NSCLC patients who received nivolumab between February 2015-May 2020 were included. In terms of safety, irAEs and their severity were registered and to evaluate the effectiveness, overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) were calculated.

RESULTS

75 patients were included. 32 patients (43%) were reported irAES. Mainly the irAEs affected the skin (36%). Followed by pneumonitis (20%), gastrointestinal reactions (12%), endocrine (12%) and hepatitis (12%). Regarding severity, 92% were moderate. The median PFS was 9.49 months on the group with irAEs versus 1.99 months on the group without irAEs group (p < 0.0001). The median OS was 17.44 months versus 7.67 months respectively (p = 0.0001). According to the incidence of irAEs developed ( = > 2 vs. 1 vs. 0), the median PFS was 20.53 versus 5.35 versus 1.99 months respectively (p < 0.0001). The median OS was 23.41 versus 15.80 versus 7.67 months, respectively (p = 0.0002).

CONCLUSION

In a significant number of patients irAEs occur, generally of grade 1-2 severity, affecting mainly the skin, lungs and gastrointestinal system. We confirm that the development of irAEs in patients with NSCLC treated with nivolumab is a strong predictor of treatment effectiveness in both PFS and OS, with statistically significant results. On those patients who experience two or more immunorelated adverse events the greatest benefit has been observed.

[Lapatinib plus transtuzumab for HER-2 positiva metastatic breast cancer: experience of use]

OBJECTIVE

To describe the outcomes produced by concomitant use of HER2-receptor inhibitors Lapatinib and Trastuzumab for the treatment of HER 2-positive metastatic breast cancer.

METHOD

Retrospective observational study. Patients treated with Trastuzumab and Lapatinib between January of 2010 and May of 2012 were selected. Demographical and clinical data were gathered.

RESULTS

23 patients with metastatic breast cancer (mean age 59.3 ± 13.3 years) were included. All of them had received an average of 5 treatment lines with at least one of them including Trastuzumab. The median progression-free survival rate with combined Lapatinib + Trastuzumab, with or without associated chemotherapy was 7 months (95% CI: 2.78-11.21) and 3 months for the patients only receiving Lapatinib and Trastuzumab. Seven patients experienced adverse events and in four patients the treatment was stopped due to toxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

The treatment with HER2-receptor inhibitors in our patients resulted in progression-free survival rates similar to those published in clinical trials with patients receiving Lapatinib + Trastuzumab not combined with any other anti-cancer therapy, with good treatment tolerability.

Review of hypersensitivity reactions to antineoplastic agents

OBJECTIVE

To review the characteristics and management of hypersensitivity reactions caused by antineoplastic agents.

METHOD

We conducted a search in the Pubmed and EMBASE databases for the last 10 years.

RESULTS

Almost all chemotherapeutic agents have the potential to cause hypersensitivity reactions, but some groups have been associated with increased risk, such as platinum compounds, taxanes, asparaginase, monoclonal antibodies and epipodophyllotoxins. The clinical manifestations of these reactions are variable and unpredictable, including symptoms affecting the skin and the pulmonary, cardiac and gastrointestinal systems. The mechanism associated with their development is not yet fully understood. Diagnosis is based on patients' signs and symptoms and skin testing. The management of patients who suffer a hypersensitivity reaction to a chemotherapeutic agent varies with the severity of the reaction, the need to continue treatment, and the availability of alternative therapies.

CONCLUSIONS

Due to a progressive increase in the use of chemotherapeutic agents an increased incidence of hypersensitivity reactions is to be expected. Desensitisation protocols are a noteworthy alternative that make it possible to re-initiate patients' therapy with the causative agent of the hypersensitivity reaction. Their use should be assessed individually, weighing risks and benefits.