Safety of thoracic radiotherapy in patients with prior immune-related adverse events from immune checkpoint inhibitors Journal Article


Authors: Shaverdian, N.; Beattie, J.; Thor, M.; Offin, M.; Shepherd, A. F.; Gelblum, D. Y.; Wu, A. J.; Simone, C. B. 2nd; Hellmann, M. D.; Chaft, J. E.; Rimner, A.; Gomez, D. R.
Article Title: Safety of thoracic radiotherapy in patients with prior immune-related adverse events from immune checkpoint inhibitors
Abstract: Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and thoracic radiotherapy are increasingly used to treat advanced cancers. Despite data indicating exaggerated radiation toxicities in patients with autoimmune disease, the safety of thoracic radiotherapy in patients with prior ICI-associated immune-related adverse events (irAEs) is undefined. Patients and methods: Patients treated from 2014 to 2020 with ICIs were queried for receipt of corticosteroids and radiotherapy. Patients who received thoracic radiation after symptomatic irAEs were assessed for ≥grade 2 radiation pneumonitis (RP). Characteristics predictive of RP were assessed using logistic regression and response relationships were modeled. Results: Among 496 assessed patients, 41 with irAE history subsequently treated with thoracic radiotherapy were analyzed. Most irAEs were grade 2 (n = 21) and 3 (n = 19). Median time from irAE onset to radiotherapy was 8.1 months. Most patients received stereotactic body radiation therapy (n = 20) or hypofractionated radiotherapy (n = 18). In total, 25 patients (61%) developed ≥grade 2 RP at a median of 4 months from radiotherapy and 11 months from onset of irAEs. Three months from RP onset, 16 of 24 (67%) assessable patients had persistent symptoms. Among patients with prior ICI pneumonitis (n = 6), five patients (83%) developed ≥grade 2 RP (grade 2, n = 3; grade ≥3, n = 2). The mean lung radiation dose (MLD) predicted for RP (odds ratio: 1.60, P = 0.00002). The relationship between MLD and RP was strong (area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve: 0.85) and showed an exaggerated dose-response. Among patients with an MLD >5 Gy (n = 26), 21 patients (81%) developed ≥grade 2 RP. Conclusion: This is the first study assessing the toxicity of radiotherapy among patients with prior irAEs from ICIs. Patients with prior irAEs were found to be at very high risk for clinically significant and persistent RP from thoracic radiotherapy. Careful consideration should be given to the possibility of an increased risk of RP, and close monitoring is recommended in these patients. © 2020 European Society for Medical Oncology
Keywords: radiation; pneumonitis; immune-related adverse events; checkpoint inhibitors
Journal Title: Annals of Oncology
Volume: 31
Issue: 12
ISSN: 0923-7534
Publisher: Oxford University Press  
Date Published: 2020-12-01
Start Page: 1719
End Page: 1724
Language: English
DOI: 10.1016/j.annonc.2020.09.016
PUBMED: 33010460
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC8284745
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 4 January 2021 -- Source: Scopus
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MSK Authors
  1. Daphna Y Gelblum
    227 Gelblum
  2. Daniel R Gomez
    237 Gomez
  3. Jamie Erin Chaft
    289 Chaft
  4. Andreas Rimner
    524 Rimner
  5. Abraham Jing-Ching Wu
    401 Wu
  6. Matthew David Hellmann
    411 Hellmann
  7. Maria Elisabeth Thor
    149 Thor
  8. Michael David Offin
    170 Offin
  9. Annemarie Fernandes Shepherd
    103 Shepherd
  10. Charles Brian Simone
    190 Simone
  11. Jason Anthony Beattie
    22 Beattie