The effect of antibiotics on the clinical outcomes of patients with solid cancers undergoing immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the effect of antibiotics on the clinical outcomes of patients with solid cancers undergoing treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). METHODS: The medical records of 234 patients treated with ICIs for any type of solid cancer between February 2012 and May 2018 at the Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. The data of patients who received antibiotics within 60 days before the initiation of ICI treatment were analyzed. The patients’ responses to ICI treatment and their survival were evaluated. RESULTS: Non-small-cell lung carcinoma was the most common type of cancer. About half of the patients were treated with nivolumab (51.9%), and cephalosporin (35.2%) was the most commonly used class of antibiotics. The total objective response rate was 21%. Antibiotics use was associated with a decreased objective response (odds ratio 0.466, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.225–0.968, p = 0.040). The antibiotics group exhibited shorter progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) than the no antibiotics group (median PFS: 2 months vs. 4 months, p < 0.001; median OS: 5 months vs. 17 months, p < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, antibiotics use was a significant predictor of patient survival (PFS: hazard ratio [HR] 1.715, 95% CI 1.264–2.326, p = 0.001; OS: HR 1.785, 95% CI 1.265–2.519, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The use of antibiotics may affect the clinical outcomes of patients with solid cancers treated with ICIs. Careful prescription of antibiotics is warranted in candidates who are scheduled for ICI treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not applicable (retrospective study).