IMPORTANCE : Patients with HIV infection are at increased risk for cancer. Cancer is the leading cause of death among non–AIDS-defining illnesses in these patients. Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy has transformed the treatment of cancer. However, clinical trials of ICIs have historically excluded patients with HIV infection. The safety and efficacy profile of ICIs is unknown in this underrepresented population.

OBJECTIVE : To summarize results on the safety and efficacy of ICI therapy in HIV-infected patients with advanced-stage cancer.

EVIDENCE REVIEW :  This systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA
guidelines. A literature search of PubMed was performed on April 16, 2018, using the keyword HIV and the names of ICIs approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (ipilimumab, nivolumab, pembrolizumab, avelumab, atezolizumab, and durvalumab). Patients with HIV infection who were being treated with ICIs for advanced-stage cancer were included. In addition, abstracts and posters from major oncology and AIDS society annual meetings from 2016 through 2018 were reviewed.

FINDINGS : Seventy-three patients (66 [90.4%] male; mean age, 56.1 years [ range, 30.0-77.0 years]) were identified from 13 articles (11 case reports and 2 case series) and 4 meeting abstracts. Sixty-two patients were treated with anti–programmed cell death 1 (anti–PD-1) therapy, 6 with anti–cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (anti–CTLA-4) therapy, 4 with anti–PD-1/CTLA-4 therapy, and 1 with sequential ipilimumab and nivolumab therapy. Immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy was generally well tolerated, with grade 3 or higher immune-related adverse events noted in 6 of 70 patients (8.6%). Among 34 patients with known paired pretreatment and posttreatment HIV loads, HIV remained suppressed in 26 of the 28 (93%) with undetectable HIV load. Among the 25 with paired pretreatment and posttreatment CD4 cell counts, the counts increased (mean [SD] change, 12.3 [28.5] /μL). Objective response rates were 30% for non–small cell lung cancer, 27%for melanoma, and 63%for Kaposi sarcoma.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE : Immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy for the treatment of advanced-stage cancer in patients with HIV infection was associated with no new safety signals. Immune checkpoint inhibitors may be a safe and efficacious treatment option in this patient population. Several ongoing prospective clinical trials will shed further light on the safety and efficacy of ICI therapy in HIV-infected patients with cancer.