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Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Geriatric Oncology

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

This manuscript will update prior reviews of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in light of basic science, translational, and clinical discoveries in the field of cancer immunology and aging.

Recent Findings

ICIs have led to significant advancements in the treatment of cancer. Landmark trials of ICIs have cited the efficacy and toxicity experienced by older patients, but most trials are not specifically designed to address outcomes in older patients. Underlying mechanisms of aging, like cellular senescence, affect the immune system and may ultimately alter the host’s response to ICIs. Validated tools are currently used to identify older adults who may be at greater risk of developing complications from their cancer treatment.

Summary

We review changes in the aging immune system that may alter responses to ICIs, report outcomes and toxicities in older adults from recent ICI clinical trials, and discuss clinical tools specific to older patients with cancer.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA

    Md Al Amin, Shahla Bari & Mustafa Khasraw

  2. Sher-E-Bangla Medical College, Barisal City, Bangladesh

    Md Al Amin

  3. Department of Veterans Affairs, Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA

    Pradeep J. Poonnen

  4. Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University School of Medicine, 047 Baker House, Trent Drive, Durham, NC, 27710, USA

    Sarah L. Cook, Mustafa Khasraw & Margaret O. Johnson

  5. Department of Veterans Affairs, National TeleOncology Program, Durham, NC, USA

    Pradeep J. Poonnen & Margaret O. Johnson

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  1. Sarah L. Cook
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  2. Md Al Amin
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  3. Shahla Bari
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Contributions

SQ, MG, and MK conceived the paper. All authors contributed to the writing and final approval of the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mustafa Khasraw.

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Competing interests

MK reports research funding from: BMS, AbbVie, Daiichi Sankyo, BioNTech, Immorna Therapeutics, Celldex, Astellas, CNS Pharmaceuticals. Honoraria: GSK, Novocure, JAX lab for genomic research, Johnson and Johnson, Voyager therapeutics and George Clinical. The other authors have no disclosures.

Conflict of Interest

MK reports research funding from BMS, AbbVie, Daiichi Sankyo, BioNTech, Immorna Therapeutics, Celldex, Astellas, and CNS Pharmaceuticals. Honoraria: GSK, Novocure, JAX lab for genomic research, Johnson and Johnson, Voyager therapeutics, and George Clinical. The other authors have no disclosures.

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Cook, S.L., Al Amin, M., Bari, S. et al. Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Geriatric Oncology. Curr Oncol Rep 26, 562–572 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-024-01528-3

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