Pulmonary tuberculosis associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors: a pharmacovigilance study

Thorax. 2022 Jul;77(7):721-723. doi: 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2021-217575. Epub 2022 Mar 11.

Abstract

We examined case reports of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) associated pulmonary tuberculosis (PT) using data from the Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System database. Disproportionality analysis was performed by using the reporting OR (ROR) with relevant 95% CI. A total of 74 cases of PT related to ICIs therapy were identified. ICIs were significantly associated with over-reporting frequencies of PT (ROR=3.16, 95% CI: 2.51 to 3.98), while the signal was differed between anti-programmed death-1/ligand-1 and anti-cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 agents. Most indications were lung cancer (64.9%), the median onset age was 70 years, the median time to onset of PT was 70 days, ICIs were discontinued in most cases (85.2%).

Keywords: tuberculosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions* / etiology
  • Humans
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
  • Immunotherapy / adverse effects
  • Pharmacovigilance
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary* / drug therapy
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary* / etiology

Substances

  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors