Abstract
BackgroundImmune checkpoint inhibitors have dramatically changed lung cancer treatment, demonstrating an overall survival benefit. There are limited data about re-challenge in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. We attempted to address this question for re-challenge of immune checkpoint inhibitor in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed 11 patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer treated with nivolumab and re-challenged with nivolumab/pemblorizumab at Kansai Medical University Hospital from December 2015 to December 2017.ResultsThree patients achieved PR and two patients were in SD. These patients were apt to be good responders to the initial treatment, to develop immune-related adverse events and to be immediately started on re-challenge with immune checkpoint inhibitor. The median PFS was 2.7 (range, 0.5–16.1) months. Five patients (45%) had mild to moderate immune-related adverse events.ConclusionOur study shows the effectiveness of re-challenge of immune checkpoint inhibitors in a subset of non-small cell lung cancer patients. Re-challenge might become one of treatment option for advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
Highlights
The development of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICPi) has dramatically changed lung cancer treatment, demonstrating an overall survival benefit
Our study shows the effectiveness of re-challenge of immune checkpoint inhibitors in a subset of non-small cell lung cancer patients
The progression disease (PD)-1 blocking antibodies nivolumab and pembrolizumab are currently approved for advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
Summary
The development of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICPi) has dramatically changed lung cancer treatment, demonstrating an overall survival benefit. The PD-1 (programmed death-1) blocking antibodies nivolumab and pembrolizumab are currently approved for advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The PDL-1 (programmed death ligand-1) antibody atezolizumab was recently approved for NSCLC. Nivolumab is the first ICPi to be approved for relapse and refractory NSCLC and has been the mainstay of treatment for NSCLC since 2015. Pembrolizumab has been approved for first-line treatment of NSCLC since 2016 in Japan. Immune checkpoint inhibitors have dramatically changed lung cancer treatment, demonstrating an overall survival benefit. There are limited data about re-challenge in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. We attempted to address this question for re-challenge of immune checkpoint inhibitor in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer
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