The Spectrum of Serious Infections Among Patients Receiving Immune Checkpoint Blockade for the Treatment of Melanoma

• Published in: Clinical infectious diseases Vol. 63; no. 11; pp. 1490 - 1493
• Main Authors: Del Castillo, Maria, Romero, Fabian A., Argüello, Esther, Kyi, Chrisann, Postow, Michael A., Redelman-Sidi, Gil
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Oxford University Press 01.12.2016
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adrenal Cortex Hormones - adverse effects; Adrenal Cortex Hormones - therapeutic use; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antibodies, Monoclonal - adverse effects; Antibodies, Monoclonal - therapeutic use; BRIEF REPORTS; Cell Cycle Checkpoints; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Immune system; Immunologic Factors - administration & dosage; Immunologic Factors - therapeutic use; Immunotherapy - adverse effects; Infection - epidemiology; Infection - etiology; Infection - microbiology; Infection - virology; Infliximab - adverse effects; Infliximab - therapeutic use; Male; Medical Records; Melanoma; Melanoma - complications; Melanoma - drug therapy; Melanoma - microbiology; Middle Aged; Molecules; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Spectrum analysis; Young Adult; checkpoint blockade; melanoma; infection; immunotherapy
• ISSN: 1058-4838; 1537-6591
• DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciw539

The risk of infection among patients receiving immune checkpoint blockade is unknown. We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 740 patients with melanoma who received immune checkpoint blockers. Serious infection occurred in 54 patients (7.3%). The main risk factors were receipt of corticosteroids and/or infliximab.