52% of people taking PD-1 immunotherapy experience thyroid dysfunction; in those patients where thyroid hormone rises, lung cancer survival increases.
In a study of lung cancer patients taking Nivolumab or Pembrolizumab who were followed for almost 15 months 20% developed lowered thyroid function, and 12% developed increased levels; (16% already had some dysfunction).
Overall survival and progression-free survival was higher in the group that developed overt (increased-hormone) thyroid dysfunction because they took the immunotherapy. In fact the figures and differences were large. The 1-year overall survival rate among those who developed overt thyroid dysfunction during treatment was 94% compared with 59% among those who did not. One year progression-free survival rates were 64% and 34%, respectively.
Go to: Lung Cancer overview – symptoms, treatments and alternative therapies
Reference
- https://www.cancertherapyadvisor.com/home/cancer-topics/general-oncology/cancer-thyroid-dysfunction-cancer-during-anti-pd1-immunotherapy-survival/