Anti-PD-1 More Effective With Normal Vitamin D Levels in Melanoma
MONDAY, April 24, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with advanced melanoma, treatment with anti-programmed cell death 1 (anti-PD-1) results in improved response rate and longer progression-free survival for those with normal vitamin D levels, according to a study published online April 24 in Cancer.
Lukasz Galus, M.D., from the Poznan University of Medical Sciences in Poland, and colleagues compared the effectiveness of anti-PD-1 therapy in patients with locally advanced, inoperable, or metastatic melanoma in relation to vitamin D levels. All patients received nivolumab or pembrolizumab as first-line therapy. The participants were divided into subgroups: 58 with reduced vitamin D levels, who did not receive supplementation or had ineffective supplementation, and 141 patients with normal vitamin D levels at baseline or obtained with supplementation.
The researchers found that the response rate was 36.2 versus 56.0 percent in the group with low vitamin D levels and not supplemented compared with the group with normal baseline levels or a normal level obtained with supplementation. In these groups, progression-free survival was 5.75 and 11.25 months, respectively. In terms of overall survival, there was a trend toward improved survival for the group with normal vitamin D levels (27 versus 31.5 months).
"The authors' opinion is that assessment of vitamin D levels and appropriate vitamin D supplementation should be considered in every patient qualified for treatment with anti–PD‐1 immunotherapy," the authors write.
Several authors disclosed financial ties to the biopharmaceutical industry.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Related Posts
Older Women, Younger Men Struggle More to Control High Blood Pressure
WEDNESDAY, Sept. 29, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- Roughly a third of Americans on...
Postdischarge Text Message Intervention Cuts Readmissions
MONDAY, Nov. 14, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- An automated texting program to...
Survival High With Lung Transplant for COVID-19-Associated ARDS
MONDAY, Feb. 14, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Lung transplantation is successful for...
Adverse Childhood Experiences Common in Schizophrenia
WEDNESDAY, Sept. 20, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Patients with schizophrenia often...