Abstract 1831P
Background
BC derangements and skeletal muscle mass (SMM) wasting represent common hallmarks which may modulate immune response in NSCLC pts. Thus, BC evaluation may have a crucial role in modulating activity and efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors. In this light, our study aimed to evaluate BC and its potential correlations with survival outcomes in NSCLC pts receiving first-line PEMBRO.
Methods
A retrospective analysis of consecutive advanced NSCLC pts treated with PEMBRO as first-line therapy at Medical Oncology of University Hospital and Trust of Verona (Italy) between 2017 and 2019 was performed. Baseline BC parameters (SMM, intramuscular adipose tissue [IMAT], subcutaneous adipose tissue [SAT] and visceral adipose tissue [VAT]) were assessed using cross-sectional image analysis of computed tomography (CT)-scan, at third lumbar vertebra. Data were correlated to progression-free/overall survival (PFS/OS) using a Cox and logistic regression model. Log-Rank analysis was used for Kaplan-Meier curves comparison.
Results
Data from 27 pts (20 males [74.1%], 7 females [25.7%]) were gathered, with a median follow-up of 12 months (range 2-32). Seventeen (63%) pts were former smokers, whereas 5 (18.5%) pts were current smokers. ECOG-PS was 0-1 in 18 (66.7%) pts and ≥2 in 9 pts (33.3%). Comorbidities were reported in 18 (66.8%) pts. IMAT was significantly correlated with the presence of comorbidities (p = 0.029). Although BC parameters were not associated with PFS, OS was significantly worse in those pts with lower SMM (p=0.013). This association remained significant after adjustment for stage and ECOG-PS (p=0.031).
Conclusions
These preliminary results support the hypothesis that BC, in particular SMM, may impact on survival of advanced NSCLC pts treated with PEMBRO, suggesting a potential interaction between immunological and nutritional parameters. Thus, the introduction in clinical routine of a careful BC assessment and monitoring is highly recommended in lung cancer. A larger validation of these findings is currently ongoing.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
The authors.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.