Management of immune-related adverse events under PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors: Insights from a Moroccan real-world experience

Background: PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors, including pembrolizumab and atezolizumab, have improved survival outcomes in several malignancies. However, their use is frequently associated with immune-related adverse events (irAEs), which can pose management challenges, particularly in resource-limited set...

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Main Authors: Inès Cherradi, Mohamed Ichou, Mohammed Squalli Houssaini, Nabil Ismaili
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-01-01
Series:Cancer Treatment and Research Communications
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468294225001145
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author Inès Cherradi
Mohamed Ichou
Mohammed Squalli Houssaini
Nabil Ismaili
author_facet Inès Cherradi
Mohamed Ichou
Mohammed Squalli Houssaini
Nabil Ismaili
author_sort Inès Cherradi
collection DOAJ
description Background: PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors, including pembrolizumab and atezolizumab, have improved survival outcomes in several malignancies. However, their use is frequently associated with immune-related adverse events (irAEs), which can pose management challenges, particularly in resource-limited settings like Morocco where real-world data remain scarce. Objective: To characterize the incidence, spectrum, and severity of irAEs among Moroccan patients treated with pembrolizumab or atezolizumab, and to assess management approaches in light of ASCO and ESMO guidelines. Methods: We conducted a retrospective multicenter analysis between January 2018 and July 2024, involving 31 patients receiving Pembrolizumab or Atezolizumab. Clinical data were collected from patient records and assessed according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v5.0. Results: Among the 31 patients included, 13 (41.9%) developed at least one immune-related adverse event (irAE), for a total of 15 events. The majority of irAEs were endocrine (16.1%), pulmonary (12.5%), cutaneous (12.5%), and gastrointestinal (6.5%). Most toxicities were grade 1-2, while 2 patients developed severe grade 3 pneumonitis and colitis, requiring hospitalization. Management was based primarily on corticosteroid therapy and supportive care. Importantly, irAEs led to temporary treatment interruption in 5 patients (16.1%) and definitive discontinuation in 2 patients (6.5%). Most patients achieved favorable clinical improvement following appropriate irAE management. Conclusion: Early recognition and management of irAEs are essential to minimize complications and optimize outcomes. This study highlights the need for standardized protocols and enhanced monitoring in the Moroccan context.
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spelling doaj-art-91ea3148edc0441c9cad152be6bcc4e82025-08-20T03:36:41ZengElsevierCancer Treatment and Research Communications2468-29422025-01-014410097810.1016/j.ctarc.2025.100978Management of immune-related adverse events under PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors: Insights from a Moroccan real-world experienceInès Cherradi0Mohamed Ichou1Mohammed Squalli Houssaini2Nabil Ismaili3Faculty of Medicine, Mohammed VI University of Health Sciences, Casablanca, Morocco.; Department of Medical Oncology, Cheikh Khalifa University Hospital, Casablanca, Morocco.; Department of Medical Oncology, Mohammed VI International University Hospital, Casablanca, MoroccoFaculty of Medicine, Mohammed VI University of Health Sciences, Casablanca, Morocco.; Department of Medical Oncology, Cheikh Khalifa University Hospital, Casablanca, Morocco.; Department of Medical Oncology, Mohammed VI International University Hospital, Casablanca, MoroccoFaculty of Medicine, Mohammed VI University of Health Sciences, Casablanca, Morocco.; Department of Medical Oncology, Cheikh Khalifa University Hospital, Casablanca, Morocco.; Department of Medical Oncology, Mohammed VI International University Hospital, Casablanca, MoroccoFaculty of Medicine, Mohammed VI University of Health Sciences, Casablanca, Morocco.; Department of Medical Oncology, Cheikh Khalifa University Hospital, Casablanca, Morocco.; Department of Medical Oncology, Mohammed VI International University Hospital, Casablanca, Morocco; Corresponding author.Background: PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors, including pembrolizumab and atezolizumab, have improved survival outcomes in several malignancies. However, their use is frequently associated with immune-related adverse events (irAEs), which can pose management challenges, particularly in resource-limited settings like Morocco where real-world data remain scarce. Objective: To characterize the incidence, spectrum, and severity of irAEs among Moroccan patients treated with pembrolizumab or atezolizumab, and to assess management approaches in light of ASCO and ESMO guidelines. Methods: We conducted a retrospective multicenter analysis between January 2018 and July 2024, involving 31 patients receiving Pembrolizumab or Atezolizumab. Clinical data were collected from patient records and assessed according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v5.0. Results: Among the 31 patients included, 13 (41.9%) developed at least one immune-related adverse event (irAE), for a total of 15 events. The majority of irAEs were endocrine (16.1%), pulmonary (12.5%), cutaneous (12.5%), and gastrointestinal (6.5%). Most toxicities were grade 1-2, while 2 patients developed severe grade 3 pneumonitis and colitis, requiring hospitalization. Management was based primarily on corticosteroid therapy and supportive care. Importantly, irAEs led to temporary treatment interruption in 5 patients (16.1%) and definitive discontinuation in 2 patients (6.5%). Most patients achieved favorable clinical improvement following appropriate irAE management. Conclusion: Early recognition and management of irAEs are essential to minimize complications and optimize outcomes. This study highlights the need for standardized protocols and enhanced monitoring in the Moroccan context.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468294225001145Immune-related adverse eventsPD-1/PD-L1 inhibitorsPembrolizumabAtezolizumabToxicity managementReal world study
spellingShingle Inès Cherradi
Mohamed Ichou
Mohammed Squalli Houssaini
Nabil Ismaili
Management of immune-related adverse events under PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors: Insights from a Moroccan real-world experience
Cancer Treatment and Research Communications
Immune-related adverse events
PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors
Pembrolizumab
Atezolizumab
Toxicity management
Real world study
title Management of immune-related adverse events under PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors: Insights from a Moroccan real-world experience
title_full Management of immune-related adverse events under PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors: Insights from a Moroccan real-world experience
title_fullStr Management of immune-related adverse events under PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors: Insights from a Moroccan real-world experience
title_full_unstemmed Management of immune-related adverse events under PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors: Insights from a Moroccan real-world experience
title_short Management of immune-related adverse events under PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors: Insights from a Moroccan real-world experience
title_sort management of immune related adverse events under pd 1 pd l1 inhibitors insights from a moroccan real world experience
topic Immune-related adverse events
PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors
Pembrolizumab
Atezolizumab
Toxicity management
Real world study
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468294225001145
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AT mohammedsquallihoussaini managementofimmunerelatedadverseeventsunderpd1pdl1inhibitorsinsightsfromamoroccanrealworldexperience
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