Adjuvant immunotherapy: the sting in the tail

Adjuvant therapy with PD-1 inhibitors for resected Stage III/IV melanoma reduces the risk of recurrence by 40 –50% and is now a standard of care. Immune-related adverse events occurred in approximately 37% of patients in the pivotal trials, 10–15% were severe (grade III–IV). Endocrine toxicities were common and mostly irreversible. Thyroid toxicity occurred in 15–20% of patients, hypophysitis (2.2% ), insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (1%) and adrenalitis (1%). Revision of the American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system (version 8) has resulted in a significant improvement in prognosis for patients with Stage III disease.

Source: European Journal of Cancer - May 4, 2020 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Claire E. Higham, Viktoria Chatzimavridou-Grigoriadou, Cheryl T. Fitzgerald, Peter J. Trainer, Alexander M.M. Eggermont, Paul Lorigan Tags: Current Perspective Source Type: research