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Introduction: The aim of this study is to evaluate treatment patterns, survival outcomes, and factors influencing systemic treatment decisions in adults 80 years and older with NSCLC. Methods: This was a retrospective National Cancer Database study evaluating outcomes in adults aged 80 years and older with advanced NSCLC. Patients were analyzed on the basis of systemic therapy, including none, chemotherapy or immunotherapy (IO) alone, and chemotherapy plus IO (chemotherapy + IO). Median overall survival (OS) was compared using Kaplan-Meier methodology. Hazard ratio with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to assess differences in outcomes, and OR with 95% CI was used to assess factors contributing to systemic therapy provision. Results: Patients 80 years and older (OR = 1.135 [95% CI: 1.127-1.142], p = 0.000), females (OR = 1.129 [95% CI: 1.085-1.175], p < 0.001), blacks (OR = 1.272 [95% CI: 1.179-1.372], p < 0.001), non-Hispanic whites (OR = 1.210 [95% CI: 1.075-1.362], p = 0.002), and those with increasing Charlson-Deyo Comorbidity Index score (p < 0.001) were less likely to receive systemic therapy. Median OS for no therapy, IO alone, chemotherapy alone, and chemotherapy plus IO was 2.63 (95% CI: 2.57-2.69), 10.68 (95% CI: 9.96-11.39), 12.35 (95% CI: 11.98-12.72), and 14.03 (95% CI: 13.87-14.88) months, respectively. In chemotherapy alone, mean OS was 1.12 months (95% CI: 0.55-1.70) (p < 0.001) longer with multiagent versus single agent. There was no difference between IO plus single agent versus IO plus multiagent chemotherapy (0.67 mo [95% CI -1.18 to 2.54], p = 1.00). Conclusions: Age, comorbidities, patient race, and sex affected systemic therapy provision. Multiagent chemotherapy and chemotherapy plus IO significantly improved survival; with the latter, survival was similar with IO plus single or multiagent chemotherapy.
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Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy has significantly improved outcomes across a range of malignancies. While infections are a well-known contributor to morbidity and mortality amongst patients receiving systemic chemotherapy regimens, little is known about the impact of infections on patients receiving ICI therapy. This study aims to assess incidence, risk factors, and outcomes in patients who develop infections while on pembrolizumab-based therapies for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: Patients receiving pembrolizumab for stage III/IV NSCLC from 1/1/2017-8/1/2021 across seven hospitals were identified. Incidence and type of infection were characterized. Covariates including baseline demographics, treatment information, treatment toxicities, and immunosuppressive use were collected and compared between infected and non-infected patients. Outcomes included the rate of infections, all-cause hospital admissions, median number of treatment cycles, overall survival (OS), and progression free survival (PFS). Univariable and multivariable analysis with reported odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were utilized to evaluate infection risks. OS and PFS were analyzed by Kaplan−Meier analysis and tested by log-rank test. p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: There were 243 NSCLC patients that met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 111 (45.7%) had one documented infection, and 36 (14.8%) had two or more. Compared to non-infected patients, infected patients had significantly more all-cause Emergency Department (ED) [37 (33.3%) vs. 26 (19.7%), p = 0.016], hospital [87 (78.4%) vs. 53 (40.1%), p < 0.001], and ICU visits [26 (23.4%) vs. 5 (3.8%), p < 0.001], and had poorer median OS (11.53 [95% CI 6.4−16.7] vs. 21.03 [95% CI: 14.7−24.2] months, p = 0.033). On multivariable analysis, anti-infective therapy (OR 3.32, [95% CI: 1.26−8.76], p = 0.015) and ECOG of >1 (OR 5.79, [95% CI 1.72−19.47], p = 0.005) at ICI initiation conferred an increased risk for infections. At last evaluation, 74 (66.7%) infected and 70 (53.0%) non-infected patients died (p = 0.041). Conclusion: Infections occurred in nearly half of patients receiving pembrolizumab-based therapies for NSCLC. Infected patients had frequent hospitalizations, treatment delays, and poorer survival. ECOG status and anti-infective use at ICI initiation conferred a higher infection risk. Infection prevention and control strategies are needed to ameliorate the risk for infections in patients receiving ICIs.