Chronic complications from immunotherapies more prevalent and persistent than previously shown among melanoma survivors

Source: VUMC Reporter, August 2023

Chronic immunotherapy-related complications are more prevalent and persistent than previously shown among melanoma survivors, according to new research published Aug. 3 in JAMA Network Open.

Almost one-third (29.2%) of patients treated with either pembrolizumab or nivolumab experienced prolonged complications from the immunotherapies. The researchers analyzed data from 318 melanoma patients from six medical centers in the United States and Australia who received at least 18 months of follow-up care.

The findings from this cohort study suggest clinicians should provide prolonged monitoring of patients after treatment with anti-PD-1 therapy and, also, consider risk-benefit analysis before treatment. The study has relevance beyond melanoma, which was one of the first cancers for which immunotherapies were approved, because anti-PD-1 therapies have proven effective for a wider array of cancers.
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