Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in the Aged

Purpose of review: Large phase III trials have established the benefit of checkpoint blockade across multiple tumor types, but patient representation is limited in some subgroups including the aged population. There are several changes in the immune system that occur with age (termed immunosenescence) that could potentially limit efficacy in aged populations.

Recent findings: Despite the concerns stated above, available evidence from prospective trials, retrospective cohorts, and registry data suggest that elderly patients achieve similar benefit with immune checkpoint blockade in comparison to the general population and do not have increased toxicity. However, as patients age, they are at higher risk of developing a decline in multiple physiologic systems (including the immune system) and reduced ability to recover from illness. Clinical evidence shows that patients who have a poor performance status have inferior outcomes and limited clinical benefit from checkpoint blockade. Clinicians should take an individualized approach that accounts for each patient's health status rather than considering age alone when determining who should be offered checkpoint blockade therapy.