ABSTRACT
Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), used for the treatment of solid and hematologic malignancies, come with the risk of immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Opportunistic infections (e.g., cytomegalovirus [CMV]) mimic irAE symptoms and are understudied in this population. We aimed to describe the incidence, characteristics, treatment and outcomes of CMV infection in ICI-treated patients. Methods: We conducted a single-center retrospective review of all adult patients who were CMV-positive after ICI therapy between 06/2011 and 05/2020. A CMV-positive non-ICI cohort was matched to the ICI group based on age, sex and cancer type. Variables of interest were collected through electronic medical records. Results: The study population comprised 192 patients overall. CMV infection incidence was 7.7% in ICI patients and 12.9% in non-ICI patients (P<0.001). Rates of infection clearance (83% vs. 50%, P=0.002) and recurrence (20% vs. 3%, P=0.037) were higher in ICI patients with hematologic vs. solid tumors, despite similar treatments. All-cause mortality was higher in solid rather than hematologic malignancies in ICI patients (83% vs. 54%, P=0.009); CMV-related mortality was low (3-4%) in both groups. Conclusions: CMV infection occurred in about 7.7% of the ICI-treated cancer population. The infection can be disseminated in multiple organs and has a wide spectrum of clinical symptoms. ICI-treated patients with a hematologic malignancy had higher viral clearance and recurrence than those with solid tumors. In this study, CMV itself did not lead to high mortality in cancer patients. Further study is needed to investigate the role of CMV infection in patients' irAEs and cancer outcome.
ABSTRACT
Large and complex colon polyps are frequently referred to surgery for fear of perforation that may need emergency surgery. During the last 15 years, advances in clip and suturing devices allowed us to close perforations and avoid surgery. In addition, we have made substantial progress in our understanding of the lesions at risk for either immediate or delayed perforation. This article focuses on the colonoscopic closure of resection defects and perforations and the prevention and treatment of colon perforations after endoscopic resection.
Subject(s)
Colonoscopes , Colonoscopy/adverse effects , Colorectal Neoplasms/surgery , Intestinal Perforation/surgery , Intraoperative Complications/surgery , Aged , Colonoscopy/methods , Colorectal Neoplasms/pathology , Female , Humans , Iatrogenic Disease , Male , Middle Aged , Prognosis , Surgical Instruments , Suture Techniques , Wound Closure Techniques/instrumentationABSTRACT
Background: Microscopic colitis (MC) has been described as 1 pattern of injury in immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICPI)-induced colitis. The main objective of this study was to characterize ICPI-induced MC by exploring the differences in risk factors, colitis treatments, endoscopic features, and clinical outcomes between cancer and noncancer patients with MC with and without exposure to ICPIs. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted among patients diagnosed with MC from our institutional pathology database from January 2012 to January 2018. Patients were categorized into MC in cancer patients with or without ICPI exposure and in noncancer patients. Risk factors (use of tobacco and certain medications), colitis treatments (antidiarrheals and immunosuppressants), endoscopic features (with or without mucosal abnormality), and clinical outcomes (diarrhea recurrence, hospitalization, mortality) were collected and compared among the 3 groups. Results: Of the 65 eligible patients with MC, 15 cancer patients had exposure to ICPI, 39 cancer patients had no exposure to ICPI, and 11 had no cancer diagnosis. Among the risk factors, proton pump inhibitor was more frequently used in the ICPI-induced MC cohort (P = 0.040). Furthermore, in this population, mucosal abnormality was the most common endoscopic feature compared with normal findings in the non-ICPI-induced MC groups (P = 0.106). Patients with ICPI-induced MC required more treatments with oral and intravenous steroids and nonsteroidal immunosuppressive agents (all P < 0.001) and had a higher rate of hospitalization (P < 0.001). Conclusion: This study suggests that despite some similarities between MC with and without exposure to ICPIs, ICPI-induced MC has a more aggressive disease course that requires more potent immunosuppressive treatment regimens and greater need for hospitalization. 10.1093/ibd/izy240_video1izy240.video15828223597001.
Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological/adverse effects , Cell Cycle Checkpoints/drug effects , Colitis/chemically induced , Colitis/pathology , Neoplasms/drug therapy , Proton Pump Inhibitors/adverse effects , Case-Control Studies , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Neoplasms/complications , Prognosis , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
Surgery has been the mainstay of therapy in patients with gastrointestinal perforations. This paradigm started to shift with the development of techniques for endoscopic closure of gastrointestinal perforations. A detailed review of the literature on this subject, along with a commentary on practical aspects in the management of patients with gastrointestinal leaks, is provided here.
