The association between toxicity and efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in older adults with NSCLC

<b>Aim:</b> This cohort study evaluated the association between immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs)-induced immune-related adverse events (irAEs) and mortality as well as ICI discontinuation among older adults with NSCLC.<b>Methods:</b> 2007-2019 Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results-Medicare linked database was used and survival analysis with time-varying exposure of irAEs was applied to estimate the associations.<b>Results & conclusion:</b> A total of 8,175 individuals were included, with 46.8% of whom developed an irAE. Cox regression models showed the occurrence of any irAEs was associated with increased risk of mortality (HR: 1.73, 95% CI: 1.63-1.82) and treatment discontinuation (HR: 1.87, 95% CI: 1.78-1.97). Some variability was observed in the effect on the two outcomes depending on the type of irAE.