Pembrolizumab-related toxicity in patients with advanced melanoma.

AIM: Pembrolizumab has revolutionised the treatment of melanoma. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are well tolerated in trials, but the real-world incidence of toxicities and their management are not well described. We investigated the incidence and management of toxicities in New Zealand.

METHODS

A retrospective review was conducted on patients with metastatic melanoma treated with pembrolizumab at Wellington and Waikato Hospitals between March 2016 and September 2021. The occurrence, severity and management of toxicities was recorded.

RESULTS

Of the 273 patients, 42% experienced treatment-related toxicity. Seventy-five percent of toxicities were grade 1/2 (mild), 25% grade 3/4 (moderate or life-threatening) and <1% grade 5 (fatal). Per organ system, 28% were dermatological, 18% gastrointestinal, 14% endocrine, 9% musculoskeletal, 5% respiratory, 5% renal and <1% haematological, cardiac or neurological. Thirteen percent of patients were hospitalised and 21% had pembrolizumab stopped due to toxicity. There were 45 referrals to subspecialty services.

CONCLUSION

Pembrolizumab-related toxicities are common and mostly mild but can require protracted courses of steroids and specialty referrals. Prospective data on toxicity and the management of toxicities from ICIs are needed.