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- Title
A retrospective multicentric cohort study of checkpoint inhibitors‐induced pruritus with focus on management.
- Authors
Papageorgiou, Chryssoula; Lazaridou, Elizabeth; Lallas, Konstantinos; Papaioannou, Kyparissos; Nikolaou, Vasiliki; Mateeva, Valeria; Efthymiadis, Konstantinos; Koukoutzeli, Chrysanthi; Loga, Konstantia; Sogka, Eleni; Karamitrousis, Evangelos; Lazaridis, George; Dionysopoulos, Dimitrios; Lallas, Aimilios; Kemanetzi, Christina; Fotiadou, Christina; Timotheadou, Eleni; Apalla, Zoe
- Abstract
Background: Limited data on immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)‐induced pruritus per se and efficacy of different therapeutic modalities in its management exist. Objective: To study the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of ICI‐induced pruritus per se and to assess the efficacy of the therapeutic modalities usually applied. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 91 patients who were under treatment with ICIs for any kind of neoplasia and developed pruritus during treatment. Results: Twenty out of 91 individuals (22.0%) with ICI‐induced pruritus had pruritus as the only symptom, while 71/91 (78.0%) presented with pruritus coexisting with an additional cutaneous toxicity. Pruritus was treated with antihistamines (18/20, 90.0%) and/or topical regimens, as first‐line choice. In resistant cases, as a second therapeutic intervention, narrow‐band UVB (NBUVB), oral steroids and GABA analogs were added (70.0%). Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference in mean pruritus Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) scores between baseline and sequential visits. Moreover, subgroup analysis revealed a significant reduction in mean NRS scores in those treated with phototherapy. Limitations: Retrospective design, low number of patients and survivorship bias. Conclusion: Pruritus per se was present in a substantial portion of our cohort (22.0%). Our study confirms the efficacy of current treatment strategies and suggests NBUVB as a potential steroid‐sparing therapeutic alternative.
- Subjects
ITCHING; IMMUNE checkpoint inhibitors; DERMATOTOXICOLOGY; COHORT analysis
- Publication
Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine, 2023, Vol 39, Issue 5, p506
- ISSN
0905-4383
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/phpp.12892