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Immune checkpoint inhibitors don’t increase COVID-19 incidence or mortality, studies suggest
Key clinical point: Receipt of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) does not increase the risk of developing or dying from COVID-19, according to two studies.
Major finding: In one study, the incidence of COVID-19 was 1.4% with ICI therapy and 1.0% without it (odds ratio, 1.38; P = .15). In another study of cancer patients with a COVID-19 diagnosis, ICI therapy in the past year did not increase the risk of dying from COVID-19 (28% vs. 36%; odds ratio, 0.36; P = .23).
Study details: A retrospective cohort study of 1,545 cancer patients prescribed ICIs and 20,418 matched cancer patients not prescribed ICIs. A retrospective case-control study of matched cancer patients with a COVID-19 diagnosis: 25 given ICIs in the past year and 25 not given ICIs.
Disclosures: Mr. Pahalyants disclosed no relevant conflicts of interest, and his study did not receive any specific funding. Mr. Tyan disclosed that he is cofounder and chief science officer of Kinnos, and his study did not receive any specific funding.
Pahalyants V et al. SITC 2020, Abstract 826. Tyan K et al. SITC 2020, Abstract 481.