Introduction
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide.
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Cancer statistics, 2015.
NSCLC accounts for approximately 80% of all lung cancers. Most cases are already unresectable and metastatic at initial diagnosis.
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Non-small cell lung cancer: epidemiology, risk factors, treatment, and survivorship.
Recently, programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) checkpoint inhibitors have exhibited potent antitumor activity in metastatic NSCLC, and PD-1 axis inhibitors are a standard anticancer treatment for these patients.
3- Borghaei H.
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- Horn L.
- et al.
Nivolumab versus docetaxel in advanced nonsquamous non-small-cell lung cancer.
, 4- Brahmer J.
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- et al.
Nivolumab versus docetaxel in advanced squamous-cell non-small-cell lung cancer.
, 5- Herbst R.S.
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- et al.
Pembrolizumab versus docetaxel for previously treated, PD-L1-positive, advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (KEYNOTE-010): a randomised controlled trial.
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- et al.
Pembrolizumab versus chemotherapy for PD-L1-positive non-small-cell lung cancer.
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Atezolizumab versus docetaxel in patients with previously treated non-small-cell lung cancer (OAK): a phase 3, open-label, multicentre randomised controlled trial.
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), including PD-1 axis inhibitors, are molecules that cause imbalances in immunological tolerance that result in an unchecked immune response. These can clinically manifest with inflammatory side effects, so-called immune-related adverse events (irAEs), which differ from those of conventional systemic therapy.
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IrAEs have been the subject of considerable clinical interest and mechanistic research, and they are also considered to be primarily T-cell–mediated.
9- Weber J.S.
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These toxicities have varying times to onset and affect different organs. Examples include dermatological irAEs (rash and pruritus), gastrointestinal irAEs (diarrhea and colitis), hepatitis, endocrinopathies, pneumonitis, and renal insufficiencies.
10- Naidoo J.
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- Li B.T.
- et al.
Toxicities of the anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-L1 immune checkpoint antibodies.
, 11Immune checkpoint inhibitors in clinical practice: update on management of immune-related toxicities.
Generally, these toxicities are mild. However, severe cases have been reported.
11Immune checkpoint inhibitors in clinical practice: update on management of immune-related toxicities.
, 12- Chen T.W.
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- et al.
A systematic review of immune-related adverse event reporting in clinical trials of immune checkpoint inhibitors.
, 13- Bertrand A.
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- et al.
Immune related adverse events associated with anti-CTLA-4 antibodies: systematic review and meta-analysis.
In several previous retrospective studies,
14- Downey S.G.
- Klapper J.A.
- Smith F.O.
- et al.
Prognostic factors related to clinical response in patients with metastatic melanoma treated by CTL-associated antigen-4 blockade.
, 15- Freeman-Keller M.
- Kim Y.
- Cronin H.
- et al.
Nivolumab in resected and unresectable metastatic melanoma: characteristics of immune-related adverse events and association with outcomes.
irAEs were associated with a durable response and clinical benefit to ICIs in patients with melanoma. Recently, dermatological irAEs and immunotherapy-related thyroid dysfunction have been associated with a clinical benefit to ICIs in patients with NSCLC.
16- Hasan Ali O.
- Diem S.
- Markert E.
- et al.
Characterization of nivolumab-associated skin reactions in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.
, 17- Osorio J.C.
- Ni A.
- Chaft J.E.
- et al.
Antibody-mediated thyroid dysfunction during T-cell checkpoint blockade in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.
However, no prospective clinical trials have been conducted and little is known regarding the association between irAEs and the outcome of patients with NSCLC after treatment with ICIs.
The aim of this study was to investigate the association between early irAEs and the efficacy of nivolumab treatment for NSCLC and provide scope for improving therapy with ICIs.
Patients and Methods
We conducted a prospective cohort study. The primary objective was to investigate the association between clinical outcome and irAEs 2 to 6 weeks after commencement of nivolumab treatment. We designed this assessment schedule to specifically evaluate irAEs after the first treatment dose and before the first response evaluation because the response data could potentially be biased. The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary end points included overall survival (OS) and the objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR).
Eligibility criteria included (1) NSCLC histologically or cytologically proved to be stage IIIB to IV on the basis of the TNM staging system (seventh edition),
18- Rusch V.W.
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The IASLC Lung Cancer Staging Project: proposals for the revision of the N descriptors in the forthcoming seventh edition of the TNM classification for lung cancer.
which includes postoperative recurrence; (2) prior treatment with one or more chemotherapy regimens; (3) measurable disease lesions; (4) an age of 20 years or older; and (5) an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 to 2. Patients were excluded if they were treated with systemic glucocorticoids or other immunosuppressive agents or had active autoimmune disease. All study participants provided informed consent. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital (Hyogo, Japan). The research was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.
IrAEs were defined according to previous studies
3- Borghaei H.
- Paz-Ares L.
- Horn L.
- et al.
Nivolumab versus docetaxel in advanced nonsquamous non-small-cell lung cancer.
, 4- Brahmer J.
- Reckamp K.L.
- Baas P.
- et al.
Nivolumab versus docetaxel in advanced squamous-cell non-small-cell lung cancer.
, 5- Herbst R.S.
- Baas P.
- Kim D.W.
- et al.
Pembrolizumab versus docetaxel for previously treated, PD-L1-positive, advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (KEYNOTE-010): a randomised controlled trial.
, 6- Reck M.
- Rodriguez-Abreu D.
- Robinson A.G.
- et al.
Pembrolizumab versus chemotherapy for PD-L1-positive non-small-cell lung cancer.
, 12- Chen T.W.
- Razak A.R.
- Bedard P.L.
- et al.
A systematic review of immune-related adverse event reporting in clinical trials of immune checkpoint inhibitors.
, 15- Freeman-Keller M.
- Kim Y.
- Cronin H.
- et al.
Nivolumab in resected and unresectable metastatic melanoma: characteristics of immune-related adverse events and association with outcomes.
, 19- Yamazaki N.
- Kiyohara Y.
- Uhara H.
- et al.
Phase II study of ipilimumab monotherapy in Japanese patients with advanced melanoma.
, 20- Nishio M.
- Hida T.
- Atagi S.
- et al.
Multicentre phase II study of nivolumab in Japanese patients with advanced or recurrent non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer.
, 21- Boutros C.
- Tarhini A.
- Routier E.
- et al.
Safety profiles of anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1 antibodies alone and in combination.
as AEs with a potential immunological basis that require potential intervention with immunosuppressive or endocrine therapy. These include pyrexia as well as cutaneous, endocrine, gastrointestinal, hepatic, lymph node, neurological, optic, pancreatic, pulmonary, and renal irAEs. In addition, to reduce bias, we focused only on irAEs that medical professionals could recognize objectively. All patients were admitted within the first week of commencement of nivolumab treatment, and the details of the irAEs before and after treatment were explained. In an outpatient setting, patient symptoms and laboratory data were assessed at 1-week intervals by using a diary card. Thyroid function was evaluated before commencement of nivolumab treatment and every 2 to 4 weeks thereafter. Patients were advised to consult us by telephone if they suspected irAEs. IrAEs of any grade according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 4.0, were independently assessed by at least three medical professionals, including a doctor, nurse, and pharmacist.
Tumor assessment was performed according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (version 1.1).
22- Eisenhauer E.A.
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- Bogaerts J.
- et al.
New response evaluation criteria in solid tumours: revised RECIST guideline (version 1.1).
Computed tomography scans were performed every 8 to 12 weeks to assess tumor response. The time interval between date of commencement of nivolumab treatment and date of disease progression or death (PFS) or death alone (OS) was calculated for each patient. The data cutoff date was March 1, 2017.
PD-L1 expression in human NSCLC specimens was analyzed by immunohistochemical staining using the PD-L1 IHC 22C3 pharmDx antibody (clone 22C3 [Dako North America, Inc., Carpinteria, CA]). The antibody was applied according to DAKO-recommended detection methods. PD-L1 expression in tumor cells was scored as the percentage of stained cells in each section, which was estimated in increments of 5%, except for a 1% positivity value. Patients in whom at least 1% of the tumor cells were stained for PD-L1 were considered positive, as is consistent with other studies using this antibody.
5- Herbst R.S.
- Baas P.
- Kim D.W.
- et al.
Pembrolizumab versus docetaxel for previously treated, PD-L1-positive, advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (KEYNOTE-010): a randomised controlled trial.
, 6- Reck M.
- Rodriguez-Abreu D.
- Robinson A.G.
- et al.
Pembrolizumab versus chemotherapy for PD-L1-positive non-small-cell lung cancer.
Samples were anonymized and independently scored by at least four pathologists. In cases in which there was a discrepancy, the slides were reexamined until a consensus was reached.
Statistical Analyses
Age was analyzed using the Wilcoxon rank sum test. Dichotomous variables were analyzed using a chi-square or Fisher’s exact test, as appropriate. Times to events were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared by the log-rank test. Statistical analyses were conducted with JMP software (version 11 [SAS Institute, Cary, NC]). A two-tailed p value less than 0.05 was considered significant.
Discussion
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first prospective study to demonstrate an association between irAEs and the efficacy of nivolumab treatment for NSCLC. Moreover, rash and pyrexia were strong early predictive factors of efficacy.
We have clearly demonstrated that early irAEs are associated with the efficacy of nivolumab treatment for NSCLC. Several retrospective studies
14- Downey S.G.
- Klapper J.A.
- Smith F.O.
- et al.
Prognostic factors related to clinical response in patients with metastatic melanoma treated by CTL-associated antigen-4 blockade.
, 15- Freeman-Keller M.
- Kim Y.
- Cronin H.
- et al.
Nivolumab in resected and unresectable metastatic melanoma: characteristics of immune-related adverse events and association with outcomes.
, 16- Hasan Ali O.
- Diem S.
- Markert E.
- et al.
Characterization of nivolumab-associated skin reactions in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.
have shown that dermatological irAEs are associated with a better prognosis in patients with melanoma and NSCLC treated with ICIs. More recently, another retrospective study
17- Osorio J.C.
- Ni A.
- Chaft J.E.
- et al.
Antibody-mediated thyroid dysfunction during T-cell checkpoint blockade in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.
demonstrated a similar association with thyroid dysfunction in patients with NSCLC. Considering these findings and our present data, there is an association between irAEs and the efficacy of nivolumab treatment for NSCLC.
In the present study, rash, pyrexia, and diarrhea occurred 6 weeks after commencement of nivolumab treatment in 35%, 16%, and 21% of patients, respectively. These proportions are marginally higher than those reported previously (4%–26%, 3%−14.5%, and 6%−19%, respectively).
3- Borghaei H.
- Paz-Ares L.
- Horn L.
- et al.
Nivolumab versus docetaxel in advanced nonsquamous non-small-cell lung cancer.
, 4- Brahmer J.
- Reckamp K.L.
- Baas P.
- et al.
Nivolumab versus docetaxel in advanced squamous-cell non-small-cell lung cancer.
, 5- Herbst R.S.
- Baas P.
- Kim D.W.
- et al.
Pembrolizumab versus docetaxel for previously treated, PD-L1-positive, advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (KEYNOTE-010): a randomised controlled trial.
, 6- Reck M.
- Rodriguez-Abreu D.
- Robinson A.G.
- et al.
Pembrolizumab versus chemotherapy for PD-L1-positive non-small-cell lung cancer.
, 20- Nishio M.
- Hida T.
- Atagi S.
- et al.
Multicentre phase II study of nivolumab in Japanese patients with advanced or recurrent non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer.
, 23- Larkin J.
- Chiarion-Sileni V.
- Gonzalez R.
- et al.
Combined nivolumab and ipilimumab or monotherapy in untreated melanoma.
We considered two explanations for this discrepancy. The first is our strict detection method in which irAEs are independently assessed by at least three medical professionals, including a doctor, nurse, and pharmacist. Additionally, all patients were admitted within the first week of commencement of nivolumab treatment and were provided with an explanation of the details of the irAEs before and after treatment. Therefore, our patients may have been more sensitive to irAEs. The second explanation is the difference in ethnicity. The CheckMate 017 and 057 trials
3- Borghaei H.
- Paz-Ares L.
- Horn L.
- et al.
Nivolumab versus docetaxel in advanced nonsquamous non-small-cell lung cancer.
, 4- Brahmer J.
- Reckamp K.L.
- Baas P.
- et al.
Nivolumab versus docetaxel in advanced squamous-cell non-small-cell lung cancer.
included just 2% to 3% Asian patients, and their irAE profiles were different from those of patients in the Japanese trial of nivolumab.
20- Nishio M.
- Hida T.
- Atagi S.
- et al.
Multicentre phase II study of nivolumab in Japanese patients with advanced or recurrent non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer.
A greater proportion of patients had irAEs in the Japanese trial of nivolumab
20- Nishio M.
- Hida T.
- Atagi S.
- et al.
Multicentre phase II study of nivolumab in Japanese patients with advanced or recurrent non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer.
than in the CheckMate 017 and 057 trials.
3- Borghaei H.
- Paz-Ares L.
- Horn L.
- et al.
Nivolumab versus docetaxel in advanced nonsquamous non-small-cell lung cancer.
, 4- Brahmer J.
- Reckamp K.L.
- Baas P.
- et al.
Nivolumab versus docetaxel in advanced squamous-cell non-small-cell lung cancer.
Our study demonstrates that early detection of irAEs (within 2−6 weeks of commencement of nivolumab treatment) contributes to the prediction of nivolumab response in a clinical setting. Furthermore, our findings suggest that irAEs detected 2 weeks after commencement of nivolumab treatment may be stronger predictive factors for treatment outcome than those detected after 6 weeks. Although sample sizes were limited, comparisons were made between patients with (n = 18) and without (n = 25) irAEs 2 to 6 weeks after commencement of nivolumab treatment. The DCR (44% versus 52% [
p = 0.76]), ORR (33% versus 20 [
p = 0.48]), and median PFS (3.3 months [95% CI: 1.2–7.7] versus 2.3 months [95% CI: 1.4–9.5] [
p = 0.92]) were comparable between the two groups (
Supplementary Fig. 7). IrAEs were assessed after 2 weeks in patients treated with one cycle of nivolumab therapy, since nivolumab was administered biweekly in patients with NSCLC. Moreover, responses were assessed 8 or more weeks after the commencement of nivolumab treatment in clinical trials of patients with NSCLC.
3- Borghaei H.
- Paz-Ares L.
- Horn L.
- et al.
Nivolumab versus docetaxel in advanced nonsquamous non-small-cell lung cancer.
, 4- Brahmer J.
- Reckamp K.L.
- Baas P.
- et al.
Nivolumab versus docetaxel in advanced squamous-cell non-small-cell lung cancer.
Considering these findings, irAEs occurring within 2 weeks of commencement of nivolumab treatment may be more effective predictors of nivolumab response in a clinical setting.
Our study also reveals differences in the characteristics of patients with and without early irAEs. In patients with irAEs 2 weeks after commencement of nivolumab treatment, no significant differences in patient characteristics were detected. However, patients with irAEs 6 weeks after commencement of nivolumab treatment were considerably younger than those without. In the CheckMate 017 trial,
4- Brahmer J.
- Reckamp K.L.
- Baas P.
- et al.
Nivolumab versus docetaxel in advanced squamous-cell non-small-cell lung cancer.
the hazard ratios for death in an analysis of OS favored docetaxel in patients aged 75 years or older. Moreover, a meta-analysis
24- Nishijima T.F.
- Muss H.B.
- Shachar S.S.
- Moschos S.J.
Comparison of efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) between younger and older patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
reported that a significant benefit was not observed in patients aged 75 or older years who were treated with PD-1 axis inhibitors. Therefore, PD-1 axis inhibitors may be more likely to induce an unchecked immune response in younger patients.
PD-L1 expression was also investigated, which did not differ significantly between patients with and without irAEs. This finding is comparable to that of the CheckMate 057 trial,
3- Borghaei H.
- Paz-Ares L.
- Horn L.
- et al.
Nivolumab versus docetaxel in advanced nonsquamous non-small-cell lung cancer.
which also reported similar frequencies of irAEs in patient subgroups with different levels of PD-L1 expression. A comparison between the KEYNOTE 010 and 024 trials
5- Herbst R.S.
- Baas P.
- Kim D.W.
- et al.
Pembrolizumab versus docetaxel for previously treated, PD-L1-positive, advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (KEYNOTE-010): a randomised controlled trial.
, 6- Reck M.
- Rodriguez-Abreu D.
- Robinson A.G.
- et al.
Pembrolizumab versus chemotherapy for PD-L1-positive non-small-cell lung cancer.
also revealed similar frequencies of irAEs (63% and 73%, respectively), although the cutoff for inclusion for PD-L1 expression differed (≥1% versus ≥50%, respectively).
The precise mechanism of the association between irAEs and the efficacy of nivolumab treatment remains unclear. However, it is possible that healthy tissues express antigens identical or similar to those expressed by the tumor, a concept known as antigen sharing or molecular mimicry.
16- Hasan Ali O.
- Diem S.
- Markert E.
- et al.
Characterization of nivolumab-associated skin reactions in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.
, 25- Hinrichs C.S.
- Restifo N.P.
Reassessing target antigens for adoptive T-cell therapy.
A previous study
16- Hasan Ali O.
- Diem S.
- Markert E.
- et al.
Characterization of nivolumab-associated skin reactions in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.
demonstrated that the lymphocytic skin infiltration patterns differed according to the histological subtype of the tumor in patients with NSCLC with dermatological irAEs, which correlated with tumor response. In view of this, antigen sharing was considered the most likely cause of this association. As demonstrated in the present study, the occurrence of irAEs after 2 weeks correlated with outcome better than that after 6 weeks. Therefore, we hypothesized that the unchecked immune activity of the tumor may be enhanced by nivolumab in the early period, which results in T-cell recognition of antigens expressed by healthy tissues. We believe that these associations provide scope for improving therapy with ICIs, as well as important clues as to the mechanisms of PD-1–mediated toxicity and antitumor efficacy.
Our study demonstrates the impact of individual irAEs on the efficacy of nivolumab. Rash and pyrexia were associated with efficacy whereas diarrhea was not. According to previous studies, the impact of individual irAEs may differ depending on the cancer type. A previous study of malignant melanoma
15- Freeman-Keller M.
- Kim Y.
- Cronin H.
- et al.
Nivolumab in resected and unresectable metastatic melanoma: characteristics of immune-related adverse events and association with outcomes.
reported that dermatological irAEs were associated with a prolonged survival, whereas hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, diarrhea, and pneumonia were not. However, thyroid dysfunction was associated with the efficacy of pembrolizumab in patients with NSCLC.
17- Osorio J.C.
- Ni A.
- Chaft J.E.
- et al.
Antibody-mediated thyroid dysfunction during T-cell checkpoint blockade in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.
In addition, the previous study of malignant melanoma
15- Freeman-Keller M.
- Kim Y.
- Cronin H.
- et al.
Nivolumab in resected and unresectable metastatic melanoma: characteristics of immune-related adverse events and association with outcomes.
revealed that vitiligo was associated with the efficacy of ICIs, whereas lung cancer trials of ICIs
10- Naidoo J.
- Page D.B.
- Li B.T.
- et al.
Toxicities of the anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-L1 immune checkpoint antibodies.
, 11Immune checkpoint inhibitors in clinical practice: update on management of immune-related toxicities.
reported that vitiligo was a rare irAE. Because our subgroups included very small numbers of patients, we were unable to draw definitive conclusions. However, our findings do reveal the different impact of each irAE. Future large-scale studies are needed to confirm our findings.
This study has several limitations. The first is its small sample size. However, all previous studies investigating these associations
16- Hasan Ali O.
- Diem S.
- Markert E.
- et al.
Characterization of nivolumab-associated skin reactions in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.
, 17- Osorio J.C.
- Ni A.
- Chaft J.E.
- et al.
Antibody-mediated thyroid dysfunction during T-cell checkpoint blockade in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.
have been retrospective with similar sample sizes. Second, only Japanese patients were included, and third, we were unable to distinguish fully between irAEs and non-irAEs. The latter remains a significant challenge, as attributing causality is an unavoidable problem in drug-related studies given the presence of multiple confounders and the absence of definitive standard diagnostic tests. However, we designed this prospective study weighing on the objectivity of irAEs and strictly checked irAEs by the same method. Therefore, we believe that the quality of our study is high.
In conclusion, this is the first prospective study to show that early irAEs are associated with the efficacy of nivolumab treatment in patients with NSCLC. In clinical cases, we predicted the response to nivolumab by using early irAEs. We believe that these associations provide scope for improving therapy with ICIs, as well as important clues as to the mechanisms of PD-1–mediated toxicity and antitumor efficacy.
Article info
Publication history
Published online: September 19, 2017
Accepted:
August 29,
2017
Received in revised form:
July 25,
2017
Received:
May 8,
2017
Footnotes
Readers of this article may receive CME credit. Further information can be found at https://www.iaslc.org/journal-based-cme.
Drs. Teraoka and Fujimoto contributed equally to this work.
Disclosure: Dr. Fujimoto reports personal fees from Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. and Bristol-Myers Squibb K.K. outside the submitted work. The remaining authors declare no conflict of interest.
Trial registration: UMIN000022037.
Copyright
© 2017 International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer. Published by Elsevier Inc.