Increased rates of immunosuppressive treatment and hospitalization after checkpoint inhibitor therapy in cancer patients with autoimmune disease.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are important new therapeutic options for the treatment of malignancy. Existing data on the relative safety of ICI treatment in patients with pre-existing autoimmune disease (AID) are limited.

Methods

In this retrospective study utilizing an oncology medical claims database, we determined the rates of treatment with immunosuppressive agents and hospitalization within 180 days of treatment with ICIs (pembrolizumab, nivolumab, and ipilimumab) in patients both with and without AID. Patients had diagnoses of either malignant melanoma or lung cancer. Immunosuppressive agents evaluated included oral prednisone and intravenous methylprednisolone.

Results

124 cancer patients with AID and 1896 cancer patients without AID met inclu

SUBMITTER: Bender DA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7733208 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature