SGO Publishes Clinical Practice Statement in Gynecologic Oncology: Immunotherapy Toxicities

Since U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of pembrolizumab and dostarlimab, immunotherapy is increasingly being used to treat gynecologic malignancies. However, immune checkpoint inhibitors can produce a spectrum of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) that may affect any organ system. To provide guidance on early identification and mitigation of irAEs, SGO published “Immunotherapy Toxicities: An SGO Clinical Practice Statement,” which is now available in the July 2022 issue of Gynecologic Oncology.

This practice statement concisely reviews irAE toxicities and management by grade, providing useful tables, information on mechanisms of action and special considerations for patients with gynecologic malignancies.

“As we continue to expand the role of immunotherapy in the treatment of gynecologic cancers, this practice statement covers many of the biggest issues facing practicing providers with a focus on managing adverse events,” says Leslie Clark, MD, one of the lead authors. “The Clinical Practice Committee worked to incorporate the latest data from landmark clinical trials and also synthesize many of the existing review articles and best practices for the statement.”

In developing the practice statement, the authors examined the following studies: Keynote studies 016, 164, 012, 028, 158, 775 and 826, and GARNET Trials NCT027 15284 and NCT036 35567. The authors also provided a summary of grading and management of irAEs, with organ-specific management strategies of the more common toxicities and guidance on clinical decision making with respect to rechallenging.

“We really hope to have everything practicing providers need ranging from landmark trial review, to timing of symptom onset, to management pearls, all in one document. I think it will be a really great resource for both trainees and practitioners,” comments Dr. Clark.

The statement is available now in Gynecologic Oncology. Also, stay tuned for more on this topic from the authors in an upcoming episode of the Gynecologic Oncology Podcast.