Multicenter retrospective cohort study of impact of body mass index on activity of first-line ICIs or conventional chemotherapy for advanced non-small lung cancer
The association between obesity and response to cancer treatment and survival remains unclear, with conflicting results from various studies. A multicenter retrospective cohort study in Japan evaluated the impact of body mass index (BMI) on activity of first-line immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) compared with conventional chemotherapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (aNSCLC). Among patients with BMI less than 28 kg/m2, ICI therapy was associated with a significant lower hazard of mortality (eg, BMI 24: HR 0.81; 95% CI 0.75), while no such association was seen among patients with BMI 28 or greater (eg BMI 28: HR 0.90; 95% CI 0.81-1.00). The authors conclude that ICI therapy may not be the optimal first-line therapy among aNSCLC patients with overweight or obesity. The use of conventional therapy should also be considered for these patients.