Sitek, Andrea

In this review, we discuss the risks and adverse effects reported for the current Food and Drug Association (FDA)-approved biologics used in the management of asthma, including omalizumab, benralizumab, dupilumab, mepolizumab, reslizumab, and tezepelumab. Our review focuses on the risk of hypersensitivity reactions, infection, and malignancy. Where relevant, we have included information regarding the risk of cardiovascular disease and eosinophilia, and we have included specific information regarding vaccine use among patients receiving the above biologics. We also review currently available data regarding the use of biologics in the context of pregnancy. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive resource for providers utilizing these agents, so that they may adequately counsel patients about the risks of therapy and identify adverse events if they occur.

Background: It remains unclear if asthma is a risk factor associated with worse outcomes among patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods: We performed a comprehensive database search for studies published from January 1, 2019, to October 2, 2020. We included studies that evaluated outcomes among patients with COVID-19 and underlying asthma. Outcomes of interest included the need for hospitalization, length of hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and death. The meta-analysis was conducted by using random-effects methodology. Results: A total of 389 studies were identified through data base searches. After abstract and full-text screening, 16 observational studies with 92,275 patients were included in the analysis. Of the 16 studies, 15 were retrospective and 1 was a prospective cohort study. The average age was 39.6 years, with 48% female patients. Six of the studies included pediatric patients, and one of these studies only evaluated pediatric patients. One study only evaluated pregnant patients. Among patients with COVID-19, the presence of asthma was not associated with any significant increase in risk of hospitalization (odds ratio [OR] 1.46 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 0.29-7.28]), length of hospitalization (1.59 days [‐0.55 to 3.74]), ICU admission (OR 1.65 [95% CI, 0.56-4.17]), or death (OR 0.73 [95% CI, 0.38-1.40]). The overall risk of bias of the included studies was high. Conclusion: Among the patients with COVID-19, asthma did not seem to significantly increase the risk of hospitalization, length of hospitalization, ICU admission, or death.

Abstract Background: Sex differences in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) outcomes have been described. Immune-related adverse events (IRAEs) have emerged as a serious clinical problem in the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). Risk factors for IRAEs and their association with response to therapy remain controversial. Sex differences in innate and adaptive immune responses have been observed but the association of these differences with IRAEs remains unclear. Therefore, we studied sex differences in IRAEs and their association with response to therapy. Methods: All patients with metastatic NSCLC treated with anti-PD1 and anti-PDL1 therapy at Mayo Clinic Rochester and Florida from 2015 to 2018 were reviewed. Patients receiving treatment at an outside facility with history autoimmune disorders or radiation-induced pneumonitis were excluded. Chi-square test was used to estimate differences in categorical data. Kaplan-Meier method was used for time-to-event analysis. Results: A total of 231 patients were identified; 120 (52%) were women and 111 (48%) were men. Baseline characteristics and ICI distribution were similar among groups. Women were more likely to experience IRAEs compared to men (48% vs. 31%, p<0.008). Among patients with IRAEs, women were more likely to be prescribed systemic steroids (63% vs. 41%, p<0.02). On the other hand, no significant differences were observed in the administration of intravenous steroids. Women were more likely to develop pneumonitis (23% vs. 12%, p<0.03) and arthralgias (17% vs. 3%, p<0.04). However, dermatologic toxicities (35% vs. 9%, p<0.002) were more commonly seen in men. In 17% of women the ICI was discontinued due to toxicity (men 7%). Besides sex, no other clinical characteristic was associated with increased IRAEs. Women with IRAEs were more likely to have a radiographic response compared with women without IRAEs (78% vs. 23%, p<0.0001), although this was not observed in men (37% vs. 26%, p>0.22). Better PFS was observed in women with IRAEs (10 months vs. 3.3 months, p<0.0006) compared to women without IRAEs. Conclusions: Women with metastatic NSCLC are more likely to experience IRAEs compared to men. We also observed sex differences in the frequency of certain IRAEs. In addition, an association between IRAEs and response to therapy was observed in women. Larger studies are needed to investigate the mechanisms underlying these associations. Citation Format: Narjust Duma, Abdel-Ghani Azzouqa, Siddhartha Yadav, Kahterine Hoversten, Clay Reed, Andrea Sitek, Elizabeth Enninga, Jonas Paludo, Lisa Kottschade, Aaron Mansfield, Rami Manochakian, Roxana Dronca, Alex Adjei. Sex differences in tolerability and response to immune checkpoint inhibitors in non-small cell lung cancer patients [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Eleventh AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2018 Nov 2-5; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020;29(6 Suppl):Abstract nr A120.

Abstract Background Immune-related adverse events (irAEs) have emerged as a serious clinical issue in the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Risk factors for irAEs remain controversial. Therefore, we studied sex differences in irAEs in patients treated with anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) therapy. Materials and Methods All patients with metastatic melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with anti-PD-1 therapy at Mayo Clinic Rochester and Florida from 2015 to 2018 were reviewed. Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test was used for time-to-event analysis. Results In 245 patients with metastatic melanoma, premenopausal women were more likely to experience irAEs (all grades) compared with postmenopausal women and men (67% vs. 60% vs. 46%), primarily because of an increase in endocrinopathies (33% vs. 12% vs. 10%, respectively). In patients with NSCLC (231 patients), women (all ages) were also more likely to develop irAEs of all grades (48% vs. 31%). Women with NSCLC were more likely to develop pneumonitis (11% vs. 4%) and endocrinopathies (14% vs. 5%). No differences in grade ≥3 toxicities were seen across sexes in both cohorts, but women were more likely to receive systemic steroids for the treatment of irAEs compared with men. Better progression-free-survival was observed in women with NSCLC and irAEs (10 months vs. 3.3 months) compared with women without irAEs. Conclusion Women with metastatic melanoma and NSCLC are more likely to experience irAEs compared with men. We also observed differences between sexes in the frequency of certain irAEs. Larger studies are needed to investigate the mechanisms underlying these associations. Implications for Practice The results of this study suggest that women may be at a higher risk for immune-related adverse events (irAEs) compared with men when treated with anti-programmed cell death protein 1 therapy. In addition, women were more likely to develop certain irAEs, including endocrinopathies and pneumonitis. Close follow-up of women undergoing treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors will allow clinicians to diagnose these treatment-related complications early, potentially reducing their associated morbidity and mortality. In addition, a possible association between irAEs and response to therapy was observed.