Open AccessA retrospective analysis of eosinophilia as a predictive marker of response and toxicity to cancer immunotherapy
Author(s) -
Tharani Krishnan,
Yoko Tomita,
Rachel RobertsThomson
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
future science oa
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.825
H-Index - 23
ISSN - 2056-5623
DOI - 10.2144/fsoa-2020-0070
Subject(s) - eosinophilia , medicine , biomarker , eosinophil , retrospective cohort study , immunotherapy , toxicity , cancer , immunology , oncology , biology , biochemistry , asthma
Aim: To investigate eosinophilia as a potential on-treatment biomarker for patients receiving cancer immunotherapy. Materials & methods: We evaluated the association between eosinophilia and treatment response and toxicity in a retrospective cohort of patients receiving cancer immunotherapy. Results: The study involved 146 patients. Eosinophilia developed in 22%. Patients who developed eosinophilia were more likely to achieve disease control (p = 0.009), with every 0.1 × 10 9 /l rise in eosinophil count, while receiving treatment was associated with a 28% relative increased chance achieving disease control. Although there was a trend toward improved survival, there was no significant association between eosinophilia and improved overall survival (p = 0.136). Patients with eosinophilia were more likely to develop toxicity (p = 0.042). Conclusion: Eosinophilia is a potentially useful biomarker warranting further prospective clinical investigation.