Rob Dillard

DocwireNews

Accurately diagnosing pneumonitis in patients undergoing immunotherapy (IO) treatment for inoperable stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is challenging, according to a study published in Radiotherapy and Oncology.&ldquo;In inoperable stage III NSCLC, the standard of care is chemoradiotherapy and adjuvant durvalumab for 12 months. Pneumonitis is the commonest toxicity leading to discontinuation of IO,&rdquo; according to the researchers. &ldquo;A failure to distinguish between expected radiation-induced changes, IO pneumonitis, and infection can lead to unnecessary durvalumab discontinuation.&rdquo;In this retrospective study, researchers analyzed 45 patients treated for stage III NSCLC with chemoradiotherapy and adjuvant durvalumab between 2018 and 2021. Using a published classification system, a thoracic radiologist reviewed baseline data and follow-up chest computed tomography (CT) scans for any features suspected of pneumonitis. After reviewing each patient&rsquo;s case record, CT scans, and radiation fields, a final consensus diagnosis was made.The analysis found that 31.1% of patients had pneumonitis scored in their patient records, and durvalumab was discontinued in 24.4%. The investigators noted that radiologist review led to a diagnosis of immune-related pneumonitis in only 13.3% of patients. Review by a pulmonary oncologist led to a diagnosis of immune-related pneumonitis in just 8.9%.&ldquo;In patients treated using the PACIFIC regimen, multidisciplinary assessment of CT scans, radiation doses, and patient symptoms resulted in fewer diagnoses of immune-related pneumonitis,&rdquo; the researchers concluded. &ldquo;Our study underscores the challenges in accurately diagnosing either IO-related or radiation pneumonitis in patients undergoing adjuvant immunotherapy after chemoradiotherapy and highlights the need for multidisciplinary review in order to avoid inappropriate cessation of adjuvant IO.&rdquo;

Jordana Jampel

Glycan-Targeting Novel Vaccine Shows Promise for Vast Virus Protection

Infectious Disease

Sara Nunnery, MD, MSCI

Reclassifying HER2: What Oncologists Need to Know About HER2-Low and -Ultralow Breast Cancer

HER2 Breast Cancer

Jeffrey Perl, MD

Joel M. Topf, MD, FACP

Thoughts From the 2025 Lazarus Award Winner

NKF Spring Clinical Meetings 2025

Latest News

Diagnosing Pneumonitis in Patients With Inoperable NSCLC Is Challenging

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Accurately diagnosing pneumonitis in patients undergoing immunotherapy treatment for inoperable stage III non-small cell lung cancer is challenging.

Diagnosing Pneumonitis in Patients With Inoperable NSCLC Is Challenging 

About Us

Editorial Policy

Advertising

Contact Us

eNewsletters

Contribute

Career Center

MashupMD

Blood Cancers Today

Cancer Nursing Today

GU Oncology Now

Urban Health Today

Bile Duct Cancer

Colorectal Cancer

Gastroesophageal Cancer

Gastric Cancer

GEP-NETs

GIST

Liver Cancer

Pancreatic Cancer

GI Oncology Now

Anemia

Deep Vein Thrombosis

Essential Thrombocythemia

Hemophilia

Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Myelofibrosis

Myeloproliferative Neoplasms

Polycythemia Vera

Pulmonary Embolism

Sickle Cell Disease

Thrombocytopenia

Thrombophilia

Thrombosis

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Venous Thromboembolism

von Willebrand Disease

Heme Today

Acute Kidney Injury

ADPKD

Anemia and Kidney Disease

Chronic Kidney Disease

COVID-19 and Kidney Disease

Diabetes and Hypertension

End-Stage Renal Disease

Gout

Hyperkalemia

IgAN

Kidney Transplantation

Metabolic Acidosis

Nephrology Times

HR Breast Cancer

Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Genetics & Breast Cancer

Breast Cancers Today

Atherosclerotic Disease

Atrial Fibrillation

Heart Failure

Hypertension

Interventional Cardiology

Lipid Management

Practice Tips With Dr. Lichaa

Preventive Cardiology

Stroke

Cardiology

Breast Cancer

Gynecologic Cancer

Head and Neck Cancer

Skin Cancer

Oncology

Sleep

Urology

Diabetes

Ophthalmology

— Demodex Blepharitis

Neurology

Rheumatology

Gastroenterology

Pulmonology

Infectious Diseases

— HIV

Health and Wellness

Lupus

Future of Medicine

Orthopedics

Pharmacology

Career News

More

Conferences

CardioNerds

The Sleep Source With Dr. Morse

Rheumatology Rounds With Dr. Maheswaranathan

Partners

Expert Interviews

Subscribe