Open AccessEfficacy and safety of immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with non‐small cell lung cancer aged 80 years or older
Author(s) -
Saito Zentaro,
Fujita Kohei,
Okamura Misato,
Ito Takanori,
Yamamoto Yuki,
Kanai Osamu,
Hashimoto Masayuki,
Nakatani Koichi,
Sawai Satoru,
Mio Tadashi
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
cancer reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.261
H-Index - 5
ISSN - 2573-8348
DOI - 10.1002/cnr2.1405
Subject(s) - medicine , pembrolizumab , atezolizumab , nivolumab , lung cancer , adverse effect , cancer , population , surgery , oncology , immunotherapy , environmental health
Abstract Background In Japan, over 25% of the population is elderly. As the risk of lung cancer increases with age, the number of elderly patients with lung cancer also increases. Given the challenges of an aging society, it is critical that elderly patients receive safe therapies. Aim We assessed the safety and efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) aged ≥80 years. Methods We retrospectively reviewed NSCLC patients aged ≥80 years old who received ICIs in the National Hospital Organization Kyoto Medical Center. We collected data on patient characteristics, prior treatments, number of cycles, response, and immune‐related adverse events (irAEs) during ICI monotherapy. Results A total of 45 patients were reviewed. The patients' median age was 85 years. Twenty‐one, 17, and 7 patients received nivolumab, pembrolizumab, and atezolizumab, respectively. The disease control rate (partial response [PR] + stable disease [SD]) was 60.0%, and the progression‐free survival was 3.4 months. In patients with nivolumab, seven patients (33.3%) achieved SD, and three patients (14.2%) achieved PR. In patients treated with pembrolizumab, seven patients (41.2%) achieved SD, and six patients (35.3%) achieved PR. In patients with atezolizumab, three patients (42.9%) achieved SD, and one patient (14.2%) achieved PR. Sixteen (36%) patients presented with a poor performance status. Three patients treated with pembrolizumab experienced grade 3 pneumonia, while one patient treated with nivolumab experienced grade 5 pneumonia. Conclusion This study suggested that ICIs are an acceptable treatment option for NSCLC patients aged ≥80 years. Oncologists should pay attention to severe irAEs.