Incidence and time to onset of immunotherapy-related adrenal insufficiency in the I-SPY2 trial.
Authors: Nanda Rita , Cohen Ronald , Quandt Zoe , Basu Amrita B , Yau Christina , Chien Amy Jo , Pusztai Lajos , Han Hyo S. , Stringer-Reasor Erica Michelle , Isaacs Claudine , Hershman Dawn L. , Shatsky Rebecca Arielle , Perlmutter Jane , Yee Douglas , DeMichele Angela , van 't Veer Laura , Hylton Nola , Esserman Laura , Rugo Hope S. ,   ISPY2 Investigators
Published: May 2024

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Background: I-SPY2 was the first randomized trial to demonstrate an improvement in pCR and EFS when Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICI) were added to standard neoadjuvant chemotherapy. This finding was validated in the phase 3 KEYNOTE 522 trial for triple-negative breast cancer, leading to approval of pembrolizumab (pembro) in this setting. ICIs add the risk of immune-related adverse events (irAEs); while most irAEs are reversible, endocrinopathies appear to persist. Higher rates of adrenal insufficiency (AI), either from primary adrenalitis or hypophysitis, have been reported with ICI-based therapy (tx) in early breast cancer (EBC) compared to advanced disease. Here we describe the incidence and time of onset of AI with ICI-based tx in I-SPY2. Methods: I-SPY2 is a multicenter, phase 2 trial using response-adaptive randomization within biomarker subtypes defined by hormone receptor, HER2, and MammaPrint status to evaluate novel agents in the neoadjuvant setting in patients (pts) with high-risk EBC. Treatment included weekly paclitaxel (T) plus ICI-based tx x 4 cycles, followed by doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide (AC) every 2-3 weeks x 4. 6 completed investigational arms included ICIs: T+pembro x 4, T+pembro x 8 (+/- AC), T+pembro+SD101 (TLR9 agonist), T+durvalumab+olaparib, T+cemiplimab (cemi), and T+cemi+REGN3767 (anti-LAG-3). AI diagnoses were made by treating providers with review from two board certified endocrinologists. AI was defined as AM serum cortisol level < 3 mcg/dl in absence of recent glucocorticoid treatment. If ACTH was low or normal, pt was dx with hypophysitis; if ACTH was elevated, pt was dx with primary AI. Results: 442 pts in I-SPY2 received ICI-based tx; 11.8% (n=52) developed AI (primary+hypophysitis). Mean age of pts who developed AI was 47.3 vs 48.6 yrs in those who did not (p=0.44). Incidence of AI was highest in arms with dual immune modulation (18.1%) as compared to single ICI tx (8.5%). Median time to onset varied by arm, ranging from 92-204 days from first ICI dose. While some cases occurred during ICI tx (13.5%), the majority occurred between 12-24 wks after tx initiation, with 21.2% diagnosed after completion of all tx. The majority (94.2%) of pts with AI were symptomatic; the most common presenting symptoms included fatigue (59.6%), nausea (48.1%), and vomiting (34.6%). All pts with AI remain on glucocorticoid replacement tx. Conclusions: The incidence of AI in EBC is higher than has previously been reported in advanced disease, with higher rates observed in those tx with dual immune modulation. No correlation was observed with age; correlation of AI with response predictive subtype and other clinicopathologic features is ongoing and will be presented. Given the high incidence of AI in EBC, close monitoring in the peri/postoperative setting and education of pts and providers is critical, as risk persists even after completion of tx. Work to identify risk factors for AI is ongoing. Clinical trial information: NCT01042379 .