• Yanmin Li, Zhengping Wang, Ting Guo, Shenghua Liu, and Chenchen Feng.
• Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, PR China.
• J. Int. Med. Res. 2020 Mar 1; 48 (3): 300060519886454.

BackgroundImmune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) represents a novel treatment modality for refractory cancers, and improving prediction of potential responders is critical.MethodWe hypothesized that ICI is a systemic-effecting mechanism. The objective response rate (ORR) for anti-PD-1, anti-PD-L1, anti-CTLA-4, or combination therapy was plotted against the corresponding all-grade and grade 3-4 (G3/4) treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) across several cancer types using an extensive literature search (MEDLINE and Google Scholar; December 1, 2012-December 30, 2017).ResultsSixty-six eligible studies comprised 76 cohorts and 25 cancer types. A significant correlation was present between all-grade or G3/4 TRAEs and the ORR. The correlation coefficient was 0.5 for all-grade and 0.4 for G3/4 TRAEs, suggesting that >50% of the differences in the ORR across cancer types may be reflected by TRAEs and 40% of ORR differences may be predicted by G3/4 TRAEs. Hodgkin's lymphoma and Merkel cell carcinoma showed a better response, while adrenocortical cancer, breast cancer, and uveal melanoma showed a worse response, compared with that predicted by TRAE.ConclusionThere is a strong relationship between TRAEs and ICI activity across multiple cancers. The toxicity profile compared with the ORR to ICIs should be investigated in phase I trials.

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