Characterization of dermatitis after PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor therapy and association with multiple oncologic outcomes: A retrospective case-control study

Abstract

Lichenoid and spongiotic dermatitis associated with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors could be a sign of robust immune response and improved oncologic outcomes. The value of PD-1/PD-L1-related dermatitis in predicting cancer outcomes awaits investigation through prospective multicenter studies for specific cancer types.

Cutaneous adverse events: a predictor of tumour response under anti‐PD‐1 therapy for metastatic melanoma, a cohort analysis of 189 patients

“…In our cohort, longer PFS and OS were found not only in patients who developed vitiligo but also in cases of SE and altogether cutaneous AEs. This was also reported in previous studies and put the skin SE as a predictor of tumour response under anti‐PD‐1 treatment …”

“…OS was found to be greater in patients who experienced an AE compared with those who did not, particularly for individuals with 3 and more AEs . In a recent case–control study, the development of dermatitis was found to be associated with longer PFS and OS in cases patients compared to the controls . Dermatitis was 23.25‐fold more frequent in case of cutaneous malignancies compared to lung cancer patients.…”

“…The development of cutaneous AEs was not associated with the type of anti‐PD‐1 used. However, in a recent study, ‘dermatitis’ was more frequently found in pembrolizumab treated patients …”

A review of cancer immunotherapy toxicity

“…Dermatitis has also been associated with improved outcomes. For instance, a retrospective case‐control study that included 20 patients with multiple tumor types who were treated with PD‐1/PD‐L1 blockade and developed biopsy‐proven dermatitis found that patients who developed dermatitis had improved progression‐free and overall survival compared with patients who did not develop dermatitis …”

“…The presentation is diverse and includes maculopapular or papulopustular rash, dermal hypersensitivity reaction, dermatomyositis, Sweet syndrome, pyoderma gangrenosum, acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis, acneiform rash, photosensitivity reactions, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), bullous disorders, psoriasis, vitiligo, and regression of melanocytic nevi . The most commonly reported cutaneous toxicities are maculopapular rash, pruritis, and vitiligo .…”