Impact of radiotherapy on risk of adverse events in patients receiving immunotherapy: A U.S. Food and Drug Administration pooled analysis

• Published in: Journal of clinical oncology Vol. 38; no. 15_suppl; p. 3018
• Main Authors: Anscher, Mitchell Steven, Arora, Shaily, Weinstock, Chana, Lubitz, Rachael, Amatya, Anup, Fiero, Mallorie, Tang, Shenghui, Bandaru, Pradeep, Sanchez, Jacquelyn, Girvin, Andrew, Tang, Chad, Amiri-Kordestani, Laleh, Theoret, Marc Robert, Pazdur, Richard, Beaver, Julia A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 20-05-2020
• ISSN: 0732-183X; 1527-7755
• DOI: 10.1200/JCO.2020.38.15_suppl.3018

Abstract only
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Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are widely used in the treatment of multiple advanced malignancies. Radiotherapy (RT) has been used in combination with ICIs to activate tumor-specific T cell responses, and RT also promotes non-specific acute and chronic inflammatory responses both locally and systemically. More than 50% of patients receive RT at some point during their course of cancer therapy, and relatively little information is available pertaining to the impact of RT, if any, on the risk of adverse events (AEs) in patients receiving ICIs. Methods: Pooled data from prospective trials of ICIs submitted to the FDA in initial or supplemental BLAs or NDAs through 12/2019 were included (N=66). Trials from applications that were withdrawn or not approved were not included. Patients were subdivided by whether or not radiotherapy was administered at any time during the course of their cancer treatment. AEs common to both ICI treatment and RT were identified to focus on the following reactions: neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, colitis, hepatitis, pneumonitis, and myocarditis. Descriptive statistics were used to examine AEs associated with the use of radiation and ICIs. Results: A total of 25,836 patients were identified, of which 9087 (35%) received RT and 16,749 (65%) did not. Radiation was associated with similar rates of AEs overall with numerically higher hematologic toxicities and pneumonitis and numerically lower colitis, hepatitis and myocarditis (Table). Patients receiving RT were more likely to experience Grade 3-5 hematologic toxicities compared to those not receiving RT. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the largest report of AE risk associated with the use of radiation and ICIs. Our results show that the incidence of hematologic toxicity and pneumonitis in patients receiving RT may be slightly higher. Analysis to determine comparability of baseline demographic characteristics, comprehensive AE profile, and timing of RT is underway. [Table: see text]