Assessing the effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors on bone utilizing machine learning–assisted opportunistic quantitative computed tomography
Authors' conclusion
While the effects of ICI treatment on vBMD may vary based on baseline bone health, ICIs do not significantly impact OA parameters in the short term.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with melanoma with routine baseline and 12-mo follow-up CT scans
- Exposure
- ICI users vs non-ICI users
- Outcome
- Change in lumbar spine vBMD estimated by opportunistic QCT
- Follow-up
- Baseline to 12-mo
Methodological detailsmachine learning-assisted opportunistic QCT
- Machine learning-assisted opportunistic QCT
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Change in lumbar spine vBMD
Difference in change in volumetric BMD (vBMD)
11.22 mg/cm³
larger decrease with Non-ICI users; significant
Adjusted difference
−13.04 mg/cm³
adjusted for baseline age, sex, baseline vBMD and change in osteoarthritis (OA) parameters; significant
- Non-ICI users: significant decrease in vBMD from baseline to follow-up
- −6.96 mg/cm³
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Baseline vBMD by vBMD trajectory among ICI users
- ICI users with vBMD decline had lower baseline vBMD than those with increased vBMD
OA parameters (facet joint OA, osteophytes, endplate sclerosis) · baseline to 12-mo follow-up
- No significant change in OA parameters in either group, nor difference in change between ICI and non-ICI users, even after adjustment for sex, age and baseline OA parameters
Original publication
Assessing the effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors on bone utilizing machine learning–assisted opportunistic quantitative computed tomography. J Bone Miner Res. Published 24 January 2025. doi:10.
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