Camrelizumab for cancers in patients living with HIV: one-single center experience

Objectives The primary objective was to evaluate the safety of the anti-PD-1 antibody camrelizumab in people living with HIV (PLWH); the secondary objective was to evaluate tumor response.

Methods From May 8, 2018, to December 10, 2021, twenty-four patients with HIV and advanced cancer as well as a CD4^+ T-cell count greater than or equal to 100 cells/µL were treated with camrelizumab in daily practice.

We describe the demographic characteristics, safety, and clinical course of these 24 PLWH with cancer treated with camrelizumab.

Safety was assessed using the current Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE).

The tumor response was assessed according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1).

Results The median number of cycles was 8 (4–26).

Only two grade 3 adverse reactions were reported (no toxic deaths or immune-related deaths).

Among the 24 patients, 2 (8%) complete responses and 6 (25%) partial responses were observed.

7 patients (29%) were at stable tumor status and others progressed.

Conclusions Data from the present study strongly support the use of camrelizumab (monoclonal antibodies targeting the PD-1 pathway) in this population, as it appears to be a feasible approach with no deleterious effects on PLWH and tolerability and acceptable efficacy.

In addition, these findings further support the inclusion of PLWH with cancer in clinical trials evaluating the safety and efficacy of ICIs on cancer.

Camrelizumab had an acceptable safety profile in 24 participants with HIV, a CD4+ T-cell count of greater than 100 cells/μL, and advanced cancer.

This study increases confidence in immunotherapy for HIV.