eISSN: 2299-0046
ISSN: 1642-395X
Advances in Dermatology and Allergology/Postępy Dermatologii i Alergologii
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SCImago Journal & Country Rank
5/2019
vol. 36
 
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abstract:
Original paper

Immune checkpoint inhibitors therapy in older patients (≥ 70 years) with metastatic melanoma: a multicentre study

Bożena Cybulska-Stopa
1
,
Iwona Ługowska
2, 3
,
Paulina Jagodzńska-Mucha
2
,
Hanna Koseła-Paterczyk
2
,
Katarzyna Kozak
2
,
Anna Klimczak
2
,
Tomasz Świtaj
2
,
Marek Ziobro
1
,
Agnieszka Roman
1
,
Marcin Rajczykowski
4
,
Rafał Suwiński
4
,
Maciej Niemiec
1
,
Tomasz Zemełka
1
,
Sławomir Falkowski
2
,
Piotr Rutkowski
2

  1. Clinical Oncology Clinic, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Institute – Oncology Center, Cracow Branch, Poland
  2. Department of Soft Tissue/Bone Sarcoma and Melanoma, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Institute – Oncology Center, Warsaw, Poland
  3. Early Phase Clinial Trials Unit, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Institute – Oncology Center, Warsaw, Poland
  4. Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy Clinic and Teachng Hospital, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Institute – Oncology Center, Gliwice Branch, Poland
Adv Dermatol Allergol 2019; XXXVI (5): 566-571
Online publish date: 2019/11/12
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Introduction
The use of immunotherapy in older patients remains challenging due to very few data on the efficacy and safety of treatment in this group.

Aim
To analyse the efficacy and safety of immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors in older patients (≥ 70 years) with metastatic melanoma.

Material and methods
In the Maria Skłodowska-Curie Institute – Oncology Centre, between 2011 and 2017, 318 non-resectable or metastatic melanoma patients were treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors: anti-CTLA-4 or/and anti-PD-1. Eighty-two patients were ≥ 70 years (median age: 76 years; range: 70–90 years). Among this group 10% of patients had brain metastases, 24% of patients had BRAF mutant melanoma, and co-morbidities were present in 86% of patients (mainly hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and/or diabetes).

Results
Median PFS and OS were similar in patients < 70 years and ≥ 70 years. In the group of patients ≥ 70 years old, the 2-year OS rate (from the start of immunotherapy) was 27%, and in patients aged < 70 it was 28% (p = NS). Two-year progression-free survival was 13.7% in the group of patients ≥ 70 years old and in patients aged < 70 it was 13% (p = NS). Patients ≥ 70 years of age were significantly less likely to have a BRAF mutation (p = 0.020). The presence of co-morbidities was not associated with an increased risk of immunotherapy (p = 0.790).

Conclusions
The survival and toxicity profile in the older patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors are similar to younger patients. Therefore, the age as a clinical factor should not exclude this population from the most effective therapy used nowadays in melanoma treatment.

keywords:

melanoma, immunotherapy, older patients, anti-CTLA-4, checkpoint inhibitors, anti-PD-1, anti-PD-L1

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