Impact of aging on immune-related adverse events generated by anti–programmed death (ligand)PD-(L)1 therapies

Abstract Background Aging is an important risk factor for cancers and is associated with poor prognosis. Weakness of the immune system, also called immunosenescence may occur with older age. The impact of aging on efficacy and safety of immune checkpoint blockers, such as anti-programmed death (ligand) PD-(L)1, remains undetermined. This study aims to evaluate the incidence of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) in patients aged 70 years or older than their younger counterparts. Methods Patients with advanced solid tumors treated at Gustave Roussy with an anti–PD-(L)1 monotherapy between June 2014 and October 2017 were prospectively included within the dedicated irAEs pharmacovigilance registry REISAMIC (Registre des Effets Indesirables Severes des Anticorps Monoclonaux Immunomodulateurs en Cancerologie). The incidence of irAEs of grade ≥II was compared between patients aged ≥70 (old patients, OP) versus patients aged  Results Among the 603 patients treated by anti-PD(L)1, 191 were ≥70 y.o (OP) and 424  Conclusion Although anti-PD-(L)1 immunotherapies remain an acceptable treatment option for older patients, prescribers should be aware that irAEs are more frequent in the elderly. Further translational studies are warranted to better understand the relationship between aging and irAEs.