No association between BMI and immunotoxicity or clinical outcomes for immune checkpoint inhibitors

Plain language summary Several previous studies have suggested that obesity may be correlated with improved efficacy of immunotherapy and raised the concern that obesity may be associated with increased immunotoxicity; however, other studies have not replicated these findings. The authors evaluated the records from one center of 409 patients with advanced cancer on immune checkpoint inhibitors. There was no difference with respect to adverse events, treatment response or survival between obese and nonobese patients. Background: The impact of BMI on immune checkpoint inhibitor toxicity and efficacy has not been clearly characterized. Methods: The authors conducted a retrospective single-center study of patients with advanced unresectable/metastatic cancer initiated on immune checkpoint inhibitors. Results: Of the 409 patients included in the study, 115 (28%) had a BMI >= 30. There was no difference in the development of immune-related adverse events, treatment response or overall survival with respect to BMI Conclusion: Patients with BMI in the obese range (>= 30) were not at increased risk of immunotoxicity. Furthermore, BMI was not correlated with treatment response or overall survival in patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors.