How many Italian cancer patients are eligible for, and may respond to, Italian Medicines Agency-approved immune checkpoint inhibitors?

Abstract

Introduction: This cross-sectional study was aimed at estimating the number of Italian incident cancer patients in 2020 eligible for, and respondent to, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI).

Methods: The study is based on publicly available data: the ICI approved until August 2022 by the Italian Medicines Agency (AIFA) with their specific indications and overall observed responses, rther details can be found in the Online Supplementary Materi cancer incidence estimates at 2020 and observed cancer deaths, and published papers with estimates on the frequency of different cancer stage/histology/markers etc. corresponding to AIFA authorizations.

Results: In the analyzed period, a total of seven ICI were authorized in Italy for 20 cancer types. The estimated number of ICI-eligible patients in 2020 was 48,400, 14.3% of those tumors (including skin epitheliomas) that may fit AIFA-indications, and 10.5% of all the incident malignant tumors, including skin epitheliomas. The number of patients who may benefit from ICI therapy was 24,052, 49.7% of the ICI-eligible ones, or 5.2% of the overall estimated incident cancers in 2020.

Conclusions: In conclusion, although the number of ICI-eligible patients is a relatively small proportion of the yearly burden of cancers, about half of them may respond to ICI-treatment.