%0 Journal Article
%T Anti-PD1 antibodies in patients aged ≥ 75 years with metastatic melanoma: A retrospective multicentre study.
%A Ridolfi L
%A De Rosa F
%A Petracci E
%A Tanda ET
%A Marra E
%A Pigozzo J
%A Marconcini R
%A Guida M
%A Cappellini GCA
%A Gallizzi G
%A Occelli M
%A Pala L
%A Gambale E
%A Bersanelli M
%A Galdo G
%A Cortellini A
%A Morgese F
%A Zoratto F
%A Stucci LS
%A Strippoli S
%A Guidoboni M
%A
%J J Geriatr Oncol
%V 11
%N 3
%D 04 2020
%M 31928943
%F 3.929
%R 10.1016/j.jgo.2019.12.012
%X Advanced age is associated with comorbidities and immune system impairment, which may influence the efficacy and tolerability of immune checkpoint inhibitors. There is evidence that anti-PD1 antibodies in advanced melanoma are equally effective in patients >65 years. However, data on patients >75 years are lacking as co-morbidities and logistics often exclude them from clinical trials.
We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of older patients with advanced melanoma undergoing any-line treatment with an anti-PD1 (nivolumab/pembrolizumab) to investigate its clinical effectiveness and toxicity in a real-life setting. Clinical response was assessed using RECIST criteria and toxicity was evaluated according to CTCAE 4.0. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method and the Cox model was used to assess potential prognostic factors.
174 patients were considered; 59.2% males, median age 79 years (range 75-93). The majority had a performance status of 0 and normal lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels (55.2% and 52.4%, respectively). 69.1% had multiple co-morbidities. 56.9% received nivolumab. 36.7% of cases showed an objective response and the disease control rate was 56.3%. Median OS was 17.2 months [95% CI: 8.87-not reached] and a better prognosis was observed for patients with normal LDH (p < .001) and lower performance status (p < .001). Treatment was well tolerated, only 11 patients experiencing severe (grade 3/4) toxicity. There were no treatment-related deaths. Adverse events were managed with corticosteroids and additional immunosuppressive agents were unnecessary.
Anti-PD1 antibodies appear effective and well tolerated in older patients with advanced melanoma.