Interstitial pneumonitis following sequential use of PD-(L)1 inhibitors and EGFR TKIs for non-small cell lung cancer

Analysis of a Japanese inpatient database investigated whether among patients with non-small cell lung cancer ( NSCLC) sequential use of PD-(L)1 inhibitors and EGFR TKIs was associated with risk of interstitial pneumonitis. Patients starting EGFR TKIs with prior use of PD-(L)1 inibitor were matched 1:4 with patients without prior use of PD-(L)1 inhibitor. Prior use of PD-(L)1 inhibitor was significantly associated with increased risk of interstitial pneumonitis (OR 1.79; 95% CI 1.34-2.38) and in-hospital mortality (2.10; 1.72-2.55). The authors conclude that among NSCLC patients starting EGFR TKIs, prior use of PD-(L)1 inhibitors was associated with increased risk of interstitial pneumonitis and in-hospital mortality.