Objective:

To explore the relationship between preexisting thyroid antibodies and the development of endocrine irAEs, particularly thyroid dysfunction, as well as their association with overall survival (OS) in patients treated with ICIs.

Approach:

Key Findings:

• Patients with pre-existing thyroid antibodies had a significantly higher incidence of thyroid irAEs (HR = 4.13, 95% CI: 2.69-6.35, p < 0.001).
• PSM and IPTW analyses confirmed a markedly increased risk of grade≥2 irAEs in patients with pre-existing thyroid antibodies (HR = 7.54, 95% CI: 2.74-20.75, p < 0.001).
• No significant difference in overall survival was observed between antibody-positive and antibody-negative groups (log-rank p = 0.5).
• Patients with pre-existing thyroid antibodies and irAEs had better survival outcomes (log-rank p = 0.027).

Interpretation:

Preexisting thyroid antibodies are a significant risk factor for thyroid irAEs in patients treated with ICIs, and the development of these irAEs is associated with improved survival outcomes, suggesting that immune activation may confer clinical benefits.

Limitations:

• The study is retrospective and may be subject to selection bias.
• The sample size of patients with pre-existing thyroid antibodies was relatively small, and potential confounding factors were not fully controlled.

Conclusion:

Preexisting thyroid antibodies are linked to increased risk of thyroid irAEs and improved survival in ICI-treated patients, suggesting a potential connection between immune activation and clinical benefits.

Attribution Notice

This content is an AI-generated, fully rewritten summary based on a published scholarly article. It does not reproduce the original text and is not a substitute for the original publication. Readers are encouraged to consult the source for full context, data, and methodology.