In a nutshell
The study examined if age played a role in the effect of immunotherapy treatment on patients with melanoma. The study concluded that immunotherapy is similarly effective in patients of all ages.
Some background
Immunotherapy is a type of treatment which targets the immune system to help it to fight cancer. A specific type of immunotherapy targets a protein called PD-1 which is important for cancer growth. This is very effective in treating melanoma. As the population is getting older, it is important to assess if age has an effect on treatment.
Methods & findings
254 patients who received PD-1 immunotherapy were analyzed. 57 (22.4%) were less than 50 years old, 85 (33.5%) were age 50–64, 65 (25.6%) were age 65–74, and 47 (18.5%) were 75 years or older. Patients were followed for an average of 16 months.
Patients survived for an average of 22 months overall. Average time to disease progression was 5.4 months. The study found no difference in survival between ages.
110 patients (43.3%) had side effects from treatment. These included dermatitis (skin rash) , colitis (inflammation of the bowel), hepatitis (liver damage) and pneumonitis (lung inflammation). There was no difference in the experience of side effects among the age groups.
The bottom line
The study concluded that immunotherapy treatment for melanoma is safe in older patients. All age groups had similar survival and side effects.
The fine print
The study is limited because less than 20% of patients were older than 75 years. The severity of side effects was also not studied in this research.
What’s next?
Talk to your doctor about immunotherapy for melanoma regardless of your age.
Published By :
The Oncologist
Date :
May 05, 2017
