0000000000646348
AUTHOR
Kai-martin Thoms
Side effect management during immune checkpoint blockade using CTLA-4 and PD-1 antibodies for metastatic melanoma – an update
CTLA-4 and PD-1 play a key role in tumor-induced downregulation of lymphocytic immune responses. Immune checkpoint inhibitors have been shown to alter the immune response to various cancer types. Anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1 antibodies affect the interaction between tumor, antigen-presenting cells and T lymphocytes. Clinical studies of the anti-CTLA-4 antibody ipilimumab and the anti-PD-1 antibodies nivolumab and pembrolizumab have provided evidence of their positive effects on overall survival in melanoma patients. Combined treatment using ipilimumab and nivolumab has been shown to achieve five-year survival rates of 52 %. Such enhancement of the immune response is inevitably associated with …
Lipase elevation and type 1 diabetes mellitus related to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy – A multicentre study of 90 patients from the German Dermatooncology Group
Abstract Aim Immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) triggers immune-related adverse events (irAEs). The relevance of lipase elevation remains unclear. Patients and methods Skin cancer patients with newly detected serum lipase elevation (at least twofold upper normal limit) or newly diagnosed type I diabetes mellitus upon ICI therapy were retrospectively collected at 14 German skin cancer centres. Results We identified 68 patients with lipase elevation occurring after a median time of 19 (range 1–181) weeks on ICI, 15 (22%) thereof had symptoms consistent with pancreatitis. Forty-seven patients (73%) had other irAE, mainly colitis. Discontinuation (n = 24, 35%) or interruption (n = 26, 38%) of I…
Programmed cell death protein 1 inhibitors in advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: real-world data of a retrospective, multicenter study
Abstract Background Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is one of the most common malignancies of the skin. Even though most patients are sufficiently treated by surgical resection, some will eventually metastasize and need systemic therapy. Phase I and II studies have shown efficacy for programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitors, but cohort sizes are low and real-world data especially on long-term outcome are pending. Methods Patients from six German skin cancer centers treated with PD-1 inhibitors (pembrolizumab, nivolumab or cemiplimab) for advanced cSCC were retrospectively studied. Internal patient records were analyzed for clinical outcome including response, progression-f…