Abstract
Plain Language SummaryPleural mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer affecting the lining of the lungs. Treatment options are limited, especially for patients whose disease has worsened after initial therapies. Nivolumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor, was approved in Japan in 2018 to treat patients with pleural mesothelioma who had already received other treatments. This study looked at 83 patients with pleural mesothelioma who were treated with nivolumab between 2018 and 2022 at a single medical center. We wanted to see how effective and safe nivolumab was in real-world clinical practice. Our study found that 16 patients had a partial reduction in their cancer, while 30 patients’ disease remained stable. However, in 29 patients, the disease progressed. Overall, 19.3% of patients responded to the treatment, and the disease was controlled in 55.4% of patients. The median time before the disease worsened again (progression-free survival) was 5.1 months, and the median overall survival was 12.4 months. Side effects related to the treatment occurred in just over half of the patients, with 7.2% experiencing severe side effects, including one death. Our findings suggest that nivolumab is a helpful treatment for pleural mesothelioma patients who have a good performance status, meaning they are still able to carry out daily activities despite their illness. The study supports using nivolumab in patients even after other treatments have failed, but more research is needed to confirm these results.
Published Version
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