Safety Of Influenza Vaccination In Patients Undergoing Immunotherapy Treatment For Advanced Cancer

e15073Background: Cancer patients (pts) are at a higher risk for developing influenza related complications. It is unclear if vaccination against influenza exacerbates adverse events in patients undergoing immune checkpoint blockade (immunotherapy). Methods: We conducted an IRB-approved retrospective review of advanced cancer pts who received the inactivated influenza vaccine and immunotherapy to define the safety and tolerability of concomitant administration. The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center pharmacy database was queried for all advanced cancer pts who received the influenza vaccination within 60 days of treatment with an FDA-approved immune checkpoint inhibitor during the 2015-16 influenza season. Clinicopathologic parameters were extracted, including any grade immune-related adverse events (irAEs) by Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.0. Results: 147 pts were identified: Median age, 77 years (5-87); main tumor types, 52% lung cancer, 11% melanoma, 7% primary CNS; treatm...