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Lung Cancer • Radiation Oncology • Melanoma/Skin Cancer • Thoracic Malignancies • Medical Oncology • Immunotherapy • NCI-CCC Tumor Board Question • Yale
Would you treat a patient with HIV or hepatitis C with an anti-PD-1 agent?
These patients have been largely excluded from these trials. What if the infection is well controlled?
Answer from: Medical Oncologist at Academic Institution
Yes, anti-PD-1 agents can be used in patients with HIV or hepatitis C if the viral infection is well controlled. In preclinical studies, PD-1 blockade has been shown to be a promising immunotherapy for HIV and Hepatitis C. This is based on the observation that progressive loss of effector function i...
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Answer from: Medical Oncologist at Academic Institution
@Wen-Jen Hwu is exactly right. Although all of the larger PD1 and PDL1 trials have excluded HIV+, HCV+ and HBV+ patients, there is little evidence at this time that there are safety concerns with treating a patient with a well-controlled chronic viral infection. Several immunotherapy trials wit...
Answer from: Medical Oncologist at Community Practice
The Anal Cancer Trial published in Lancet Oncology (april 2015) included HIV positive patients who were compliant with HAART and had an undetectable Viral Load.
The HCC trials also included Hep B/C positive patients as stated above.
There is some thought that the viral infections themselves stimul...