Immune-related adverse events are linked with improved progression-free survival in patients receiving anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy

Abstract Background Immune-related adverse events (irAEs) are commonly encountered, when using programmed death-1/programmed death-ligand-1 (anti-PD-1/PD-L1) therapy and are often managed with corticosteroids. The effect of irAEs, particularly when steroids are required, on patient survival is not well established. Methods In this retrospective analysis, data for 157 patients with various tumor types treated with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy were obtained. Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression analyses were used to assess the effect of irAEs and corticosteroids on progression-free survival (PFS). Results A total of 45 irAEs were recorded for 157 patients. Twenty-one patients received systemic corticosteroids. Patients who developed irAEs, as well as those who received systemic corticosteroids, had improved PFS by Kaplan–Meier estimate. Multivariate Cox regression showed that irAEs were associated with improved PFS (hazard ratio of 0.33, P P  = 0.03). Conclusions irAEs are associated with improved PFS in patients receiving anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy. This association does not appear to be altered by the use of systemic corticosteroids.