Immune-checkpoint inhibitors to treat cancers in specific immunocompromised populations: a critical review

Because of their efficacy against numerous cancers, immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4, and anti-programmed cell death monoclonal antibodies are being used ever more often in oncology. However, some patients were excluded from clinical trials because of their comorbidities despite their potentially higher cancer frequencies, as is the case for immunocompromised patients. Areas covered: We analyzed reported preclinical and clinical information and evaluated the risk/benefit ratio for four immunocompromised populations: people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHs), solid-organ transplant recipients, recipients of hematopoietic stem-cell allografts, and patients with autoimmune diseases. Expert commentary: Information available in the literature is fragmentary and scarce, making it difficult to evaluate the risk/benefit ratio. It can, nonetheless, be noted that ICI use in PLHs seems possible. For solid-organ transplant recipients, the risk for the graft seems elevated. For the other two populations, it is difficult to conclude at this time.