Sign in Subscribe
Cancer

Cancer Outcomes in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients Receiving Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

According to a recent study published in JAMA Oncology, investigators conducted a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis to examine cancer-specific and patient survival among solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs) with advanced-stage cancer receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). The study found that cancer outcomes in SOTRs varied by cancer type, with a higher probability of achieving response among those with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) than other cancers. Additionally, the study concluded that concurrent use of mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors (mTORIs) and steroids during ICI therapy may reduce the risk of acute allograft rejection.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study included 128 studies involving 343 SOTRs treated with ICIs, with most participants being male (76.9%) and kidney transplant recipients (70.9%).
  • Within 3 years of ICI initiation, 52.8% of participants died of cancers, with acute rejection occurring in 36.2% at 1 year and 18.4% experiencing graft loss at 1 year.
  • The objective response at 1 year was 31.6% for SOTRs, with a higher response observed in patients with cSCC (61.0%) than melanoma (48.5%) and other solid organ cancers (26.9%).
  • SOTRs with melanoma and solid organ cancers experienced higher rates of cancer-related deaths than those with cSCC, with hazard ratios of 2.29 and 2.84, respectively.
  • Maintenance with steroids and mTORIs was associated with a lower risk of rejection compared with other immunosuppressive agents, with a hazard ratio of 0.30.

Statistics:

  • 52.8% of SOTRs died from cancers within 3 years of ICI initiation
  • 36.2% of SOTRs experienced acute rejection at 1 year
  • 18.4% of SOTRs experienced graft loss at 1 year
  • 61.0% of patients with cSCC responded to ICIs at 1 year
  • 48.5% of patients with melanoma responded to ICIs at 1 year
  • 26.9% of patients with other solid organ cancers responded to ICIs at 1 year

Sources:

  • Outcomes of Solid Organ Transplant Recipients With Advanced Cancers Receiving Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors a Systematic Review and Individual Participant Data Meta-analysis. JAMA Oncology, 2025.
  • Flinders University, Flinders Hlth & Med Res Inst, College of Medicine and Public Health, Bedford Park, Sa, Australia.
  • Amer Medical Assoc, 330 N Wabash Ave, Ste 39300, Chicago, IL 60611-5885, USA.

Read more