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. 2020 Nov 23;7(1):FSO655.
doi: 10.2144/fsoa-2020-0129.

Immune manifestations with checkpoint inhibitors in a single Brazilian center: experience and literature review

Rafael A Schmerling  1 , Antonio C Buzaid  1 , Carolina K Haddad  1 , Fabio Ab Schutz  1 , Fabio R Kater  1 , Juliana Pimenta  1 , Fernando Maluf  1 , William N William  1 , Camila Lopes  1 , Dafne R Bromberg  1 , Ana C Oliveira  1 , Ricardo Golmia  1 , Morton Scheinberg  1
Affiliations

Immune manifestations with checkpoint inhibitors in a single Brazilian center: experience and literature review

Rafael A Schmerling et al. Future Sci OA. .

Abstract

Objectives: The presence of autoimmune events were recorded in patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Materials & methods: Retrospective study in patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) during the period of 2012-2019.

Results: A total of 554 patients received ICIs of which 123 developed an immune related adverse event. Twenty one (17%) with toxicity were identified as having a pre-existing autoimmune disease and 88 required treatment with corticosteroids or hormone replacement. Thirty two (26%) out of 123 had to temporarily discontinue ICIs due to autoimmune manifestations. Endocrine and skin manifestations were the most prevalent immune disorders in our cohort. In melanoma better efficacy was seen in patients with immune toxicity.

Conclusion: Autoimmune diseases appear in patients receiving ICIs in this real world experience. Our results differ from other series on the frequency of autoimmunity. Complete discontinuation of ICIs due to autoimmunity was rare.

Keywords: autoimmune disease; checkpoint inhibitors; endocrine system; immunotherapy; malignant melanoma; tumor.

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Conflict of interest statement

Financial & competing interests disclosure The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties. No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.. Autoimmune manifestations.
Frequency (%) applies to the total number of autoimmune manifestations (n=181).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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