The use of immunotherapy in solid tumours : efficacy and toxicity

Abstract

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are revolutionising cancer care worldwide. However, local data regarding the efficacy and toxicity of these agents is scarce. This is a single centre, retrospective study of the tumour response rate and toxicity of Anti-programmed cell death protein 1 agents and Anti-Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 agents for the treatment of 84 East Asian patients with various solid organ tumours. It was found that the Objective Response Rate according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours (version 1.1) was 7.8% across all tumour groups, and highest amongst Hepatocellular Carcinoma patients at 15%. Within Sorafenib pre-treated Hepatitis B Virus-associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma patients, the response rate was 18.8%. A further 17.6% of patients had Stable Disease as their best imaging response. 52% of patients suffered from clinical progression. 16.7% of patients experienced Grade 3 or above toxicity and 4.8% of patients terminated treatment due to toxicity. In conclusion, immune checkpoint inhibitors were generally well tolerated and effective against Sorafenib pre-treated Hepatitis B Virus-associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma in this cohort of patients. However, the response rate in other tumour groups was inferior to those observed in published trials. This is possibly due to a number of factors, including different tumour types, more advanced disease and longer intervals of imaging assessment.