Background: Thyroid function abnormality (TFA) is one of the most common toxicities in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors. However, the risk factors related to TFA and the relationship between TFA and prognosis in NSCLC are not fully clarified. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of patients with advanced NSCLC who were treated with PD-1 inhibitors in Huzhou Central Hospital. Thyroid function test was carried out using electrochemiluminescent bridging immunoassay. The association between TFA and clinical outcome was investigated. Results: A total of 273 patients were included in this study. Patients who experienced TFA had longer progression-free survival (21.9 vs 6.4 months; p < 0.001) and overall survival (44.6 vs 24.1 months; p = 0.02) than patients without TFA. After multivariate analysis, TFA was an independent prognostic factor for progression-free and overall survival (p < 0.05). Conclusion: TFA is associated with better outcome in NSCLC patients who receive immunotherapy.
Keywords: PD-1; immune checkpoint inhibitor; non-small-cell lung cancer; thyroid function.
Many patients with non-small-cell lung cancer are treated with immunotherapy, a type of treatment that uses the body’s natural immune system to fight diseases. We conducted a retrospective study of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer patients who were treated with PD-1 inhibitors (a type of immunotherapy) in Huzhou Central Hospital. Thyroid function abnormality (TFA) is one of the common toxicities in patients receiving PD-1 inhibitors. Our study showed that patients who experienced TFA have longer survival times compared with patients without TFA (overall survival, 44.6 vs 24.1 months; p = 0.02). TFA could be an effective predictor of outcome in non-small-cell lung cancer cases being treated with immunotherapy.