Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Patients With Cancer and Infection by Hepatitis B or C Virus: A Perspective Through the Results of a European Survey

Bibliographic Details
Title: Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Patients With Cancer and Infection by Hepatitis B or C Virus: A Perspective Through the Results of a European Survey
Authors: Marco Tagliamento, MD, Jordi Remon, MD, PhD, Matteo Giaj Levra, MD, Andrea De Maria, MD, Paolo Bironzo, MD, PhD, Benjamin Besse, MD, PhD, Silvia Novello, MD, PhD, Laura Mezquita, MD, PhD
Source: JTO Clinical and Research Reports, Vol 4, Iss 1, Pp 100446- (2023)
Publisher Information: Elsevier, 2023.
Publication Year: 2023
Collection: LCC:Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology. Including cancer and carcinogens
Subject Terms: Immune checkpoint inhibitors, Cancer, HBV, HCV, Immunotherapy, Viral hepatitis, Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology. Including cancer and carcinogens, RC254-282
More Details: Introduction: Patients with cancer and hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are underrepresented in several clinical trials testing immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Consequently, safety and efficacy of ICI therapy in this population have not been completely defined. We aimed to evaluate the attitudes of oncologists on this topic. Methods: We conducted a 14-item European anonymous online survey. Results: Physicians from 56 oncology departments (26 from Italy, 15 from France, and 15 from Spain) took part in the survey. They mainly used to prescribe ICIs for treating patients with lung cancer, melanoma, and renal cell carcinoma. Of them, 95% recognized the need for specific guidelines addressing the management of patients with cancer and HBV or HCV treated with ICIs. Just 63% of the respondents screened patients for HBV and HCV status before ICIs initiation, although the risk of immune-related hepatotoxicity or viral reactivation was a major concern for most of them. Only 9% of the surveyed oncologists considered HBV and HCV infection a major exclusion criterion for receiving ICIs. Furthermore, 29% of the respondents would start a prophylactic treatment of active infection at ICIs initiation. Conclusions: ICIs administration in patients with cancer and HBV or HCV infection is of concern for most of the surveyed European oncologists. Nonetheless, active screening and treatment of viral hepatitis should be improved. Data in this specific setting are needed for an evidence-based management and should be generated by broadening inclusion criteria of clinical trials to allow the enrollment of patients with HBV and HCV.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 2666-3643
Relation: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666364322001709; https://doaj.org/toc/2666-3643
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtocrr.2022.100446
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/8bb0b046a4dc4b03923440db7ca7bf49
Accession Number: edsdoj.8bb0b046a4dc4b03923440db7ca7bf49
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
More Details
ISSN:26663643
DOI:10.1016/j.jtocrr.2022.100446
Published in:JTO Clinical and Research Reports
Language:English