Incidence of thyroid dysfunctions during treatment with nivolumab for non-small cell lung cancer: Retrospective study of 105 patients

Introduction: Immunotherapy is a standard not only in second line but also in first line treatment in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and other tumors. Thyroid dysfunctions are the most common endocrine toxicities.

Objective: To determine the incidence of thyroid dysfunctions during treatment with a PD-1 monoclonal antibody (nivolumab) in patients with NSCLC.

Methods: Retrospective study of patients treated with nivolumab for NSCLC between May 2015 and December 2016; euthyroidism within the 3 months preceding immunotherapy; monitoring of thyroid function tests until stopping nivolumab, death or February 2017. Patients treated with levothyroxine, amiodarone or another immunotherapy were excluded.

Results: Among 183 patients treated, 105 fullfilled the inclusion criteria (72 males, median age: 61 years [range: 41-80]). Fifteen patients (14.3%) experienced a thyroid dysfunction; among them, compared to the "control" group (n=90), we found more females (53.3% vs. 27.8%; P=0.07), and younger patients (median age: 56 years vs. 62 years; P=0.02). Thirteen patients had thyrotoxicosis (median onset: 8 weeks), and then hypothyroidism was observed in 5 patients. Isolated hypothyroidism was rare (n=2) and late (median: 30 weeks). Three patients had anti-TPO antibodies. Three patients discontinued immunotherapy transiently due to thyroid dysfunctions. After a median follow-up of 9 months [95% CI, 7.5-10.3], one patient (6.7%) in the "thyroid dysfunctions" group and 30 patients (33.3%) in the "control" group died, with a trend toward a higher overall survival in the "thyroid dysfunctions" group (HR: 0.16 [95% CI, 0.02-1.15]; P=0.07).

Conclusion: Thyroid dysfunctions (isolated thyrotoxicosis, biphasic thyroiditis and hypothyroidism) were common, and required patients with NSCLC to be screened during nivolumab therapy.