A SIGNIFICANT risk associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), a class of cancer therapies, has been identified in a new study. According to the findings, patients undergoing ICI treatment face a two-fold higher risk of developing psoriasis compared to those receiving other antineoplastic therapies such as chemotherapy or targeted drugs.
The study analyzed data from over 135,000 cancer patients in Taiwan, focusing on individuals with advanced-stage (III and IV) cancers treated between January 2019 and June 2021. Patients receiving ICIs were found to have an incidence rate of 5.76 psoriasis cases per 1,000 person-years, compared to just 1.44 cases in the non-ICI group. Adjustments for demographics and comorbidities confirmed these findings, with hazard ratios indicating a 2-3 times greater likelihood of psoriasis in the ICI-treated cohort.
The robustness of these results was supported by various analytical approaches, including stabilized inverse probability weighting and multiple sensitivity analyses. The findings emphasize the need for clinicians to closely monitor patients receiving immunotherapy for signs of immune-related adverse events like psoriasis.
Understanding these risks is vital for optimizing cancer care. The study calls for healthcare professionals to balance the benefits of ICIs against their potential adverse effects to ensure comprehensive patient management.
Reference: To SY et al. Psoriasis risk with immune checkpoint inhibitors. JAMA Dermatol. 2024. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2024.4129.
