Nivolumab Concentrations Research Articles

Continuous intrathecal infusion of nivolumab in advanced melanoma with leptomeningeal disease.

9522 Background: The prognosis of melanoma patients with leptomeningeal disease (LMD) remains poor (median OS of 3.5 months). Intrathecal (IT) drug administration could bypass the blood-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) barrier and has been explored in many cancers using chemotherapies or monoclonal antibodies. According to a recent phase I trial (PMID36997799), nivolumab IT delivery appears safe while its efficacy remains to be further investigated. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed melanoma patients with LMD treated with continuous IT administration of nivolumab (after decision in multidisciplinary tumor boards) at 2 institutions from February 2021 to October 2023. Patients received 10 to 13.5 mg/day of IT nivolumab delivered through a catheter (cath) connected to an implanted pump. Nivolumab concentrations were monitored in spinal CSF via an independent access port. All patients were enrolled in the MelBase cohort. Results: 11 patients (5 females, median age 52) were treated with continuous IT nivolumab with median (IQR) time to follow-up of 2.5 (1.1-6.3) months (m). Nivolumab was delivered through a spinal (n=10) and ventricular (n=1) cath. All patients had progressed on systemic immunotherapy (ipilimumab + nivolumab n=10, nivolumab n=1). Five patients had symptomatic LMD. All patients were ECOG 0 or 1 except one patient ECOG 3 (due to neurological deficit). Primary tumors were cutaneous (n=8), mucosal (n=1) and unknown (n=2). Tumors were BRAFV600 (n=10) and NRASQ61-mutated (n=1). All but 3 patients had stable extracranial disease. Concomitant systemic therapies were the following: corticosteroids (n=5), intravenous nivolumab (first 3 months of IT therapy) (n=1), and targeted therapies (n=4). The median duration of IT treatment was 1.5 (0.5-2.7) m. The median overall survival (OS) was 2.5 (1.1-NA) m. OS at 3, 12 and 19 m were 36.4 % (16.6-79.5), 27.3 % (10.4-71.6) and 13.6 % (10.4-71.6), respectively. Three patients had prolonged survival (19 m n=2, 12 m n=1). Treatment-related adverse events (all reversible) occurred in 5 patients: hemorrhage on cath path (n=1, grade 2), immune-mediated meningoencephalitis (n=1, grade 3), intracranial hypotension syndrome (n=3, grade 2). Steady state was obtained after 3 weeks of continuous IT infusion. Pharmacokinetics data are summarized in Table. Conclusions: Survival data are slightly inferior to those previously published. However 3 patients had prolonged survival (>=1 year). Median nivolumab concentrations in CSF were comparable to through plasma concentrations at steady state after 3mg/kg IV infusion. High plasma concentrations suggest rapid clearance of nivolumab from the CSF, possibly related to reverse transcytosis of immunoglobulins. [Table: see text]

Extending the dosing intervals of nivolumab: model-based simulations in unselected cancer patients.

Reducing nivolumab dose intensity could increase patients' life quality and decrease the financial burden while maintaining efficacy. The aims of this study were to develop a population PK model of nivolumab based on data from unselected metastatic cancer patients and to simulate extended-interval regimens allowing to maintain minimal effective plasma concentrations (MEPC). Concentration-time data (992 plasma nivolumab concentrations, 364 patients) were modeled using a two-compartment model with linear elimination clearance in Monolix software. Extended-interval regimens allowing to maintain steady-state trough concentrations (Cmin,ss) above the MEPC of 2.5 mg/L or 1.5 mg/L in >90% of patients were simulated. Increasing 3-times the dosing interval from 240 mg every two weeks (Q2W) to Q6W and 2-times from 480 mg Q4W to Q8W resulted in Cmin,ss above 2.5 mg/L in 95.8% and 95.4% of patients, respectively. 240 mg Q8W and 480 mg Q10W resulted in Cmin,ss above 1.5 mg/L in 91.0% and 91.8% of patients, respectively. Selection of a 240 mg Q6W regimen would decrease by 3-fold the annual treatment costs compared to standard regimen of 240 mg Q2W (from 78,744€ to 26,248€ in France). Clinical trials are warranted to confirm the non-inferiority of extended-interval compared to standard regimen.

High accumulation of nivolumab in human breast milk: A case report

Nivolumab is an immunotherapeutic monoclonal antibody (mAb) that is used for the treatment of several types of cancer. The evidence on its use during lactation is lacking. Here, we report on a 39-year-old woman with metastasized melanoma who was treated with 480 mg nivolumab every four weeks during lactation. Breast milk samples were collected over the course of 34 days, including two cycles of nivolumab. The highest measured concentration of nivolumab during the first cycle was 503 ng/mL at day 13. The cumulative relative infant dose (RID) over the first cycle (28 days) was 9.8 %. The highest overall measured nivolumab concentration was 519 ng/mL at day 33, five days after administration of the second nivolumab cycle. Nivolumab seems to accumulate in breast milk over two consecutive cycles, hence the RIDs of consecutive cycles are expected to be higher. To draw further conclusions regarding safety of breastfeeding during nivolumab therapy, more information about the oral bioavailability of nivolumab in newborns, the nivolumab steady-state concentrations in breast milk and its pharmacodynamic effects are needed.

Comprehensive biomarker analysis from phase II study of nivolumab in patients with thymic carcinoma.

In a phase II trial of nivolumab in advanced thymic carcinoma (UMIN000022007), long SD (SD for more than 24 weeks) was seen in three patients and irAE (Gr2 or higher) was seen in four patients among 15 patients. Here, we report preplanned comprehensive biomarker analyses. We obtained tumor samples for immunohistochemistry, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), plasma and serum for pharmacokinetic analysis of nivolumab and cytokine evaluations, and whole blood for immuno pharmacogenomic (PGx) analysis. PD-L1 expression on tumor cells were not associated with therapeutic efficacy, but FOXP3 expression in tumor area and stroma, CD204 expression in stroma, and MHC class I in tumor area were all low among long SD patients. PBMC of long SD patients presented with larger number of naïve/memory cells prior to treatment, suggesting priming after nivolumab administration. Immuno-PGx analysis showed non-synonymous SNVs in ITGAX and PDCD1 had some correlation with PFS. Concentration of nivolumab in blood during the treatment was not related to PFS, with their overall trend towards decreased nivolumab concentration in patients with irAEs. Low immunogenicity of thymic carcinoma demonstrated in our study may require the activation of immune systems via a combination of immune checkpoint blockades.

Nivolumab serum concentration in metastatic melanoma patients could be related to outcome and enhanced immune activity: a gene profiling retrospective analysis

BackgroundNivolumab is an anti-PD-1 antibody approved for treating metastatic melanoma (MM), for which still limited evidence is available on the correlation between drug exposure and patient outcomes.MethodsIn this observational retrospective...

Impacts of cachexia progression in addition to serum IgG and blood lymphocytes on serum nivolumab in advanced cancer patients.

Serum nivolumab concentrations exhibit a large variation in cancer patients. Cancer cachexia inducing systemic inflammation promotes the elimination of endogenous proteins, while its association with serum nivolumab remains unclear. The present study aimed to evaluate the impacts of cachexia progression in addition to blood components on serum nivolumab in cancer patients. Thirty-eight non-small-cell lung cancer or renal cell cancer patients receiving biweekly intravenous nivolumab were enrolled. Blood samples were collected just before dosing at the 7th administration of nivolumab or later. Serum nivolumab together with serum proteins, inflammatory markers, and peripheral blood leukocytes were determined. Cancer cachexia was classified using the Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS). Immune-related adverse events (irAEs) were monitored during the study period. Cancer patients had a large variation in serum nivolumab concentrations (interquartile range, 12-21µg/mL per mg/kg). The serum nivolumab concentration was positively correlated with serum albumin, while negatively associated with serum globulin and immunoglobulin G (IgG). A negative correlation was observed between serum nivolumab and blood lymphocytes. Regarding cachexia progression, the patients with GPS 2 had a higher serum interleukin-6 concentration and a lower serum nivolumab concentration than those with GPS 0 or 1. The GPS, serum IgG, and blood lymphocytes were identified as independent variables for serum nivolumab. The incidence of irAEs was not associated with the nivolumab dose or serum nivolumab. Cachexia progression had a negative impact on serum nivolumab in cancer patients. The interindividual variation in serum nivolumab was characterized by cachexia progression in addition to blood components.

Use of an alternative signature peptide during development of a LC-MS/MS assay of plasma nivolumab levels applicable for multiple species

Recently, immune checkpoint inhibitors, including anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) antibodies, have dramatically changed treatment strategies for several cancers. In pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic studies, experiments using a variety of animal species are assumed.We have identified optimal multiple reaction monitoring transitions for signature candidate peptides of nivolumab in human, mouse, and rat plasma and developed a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method to quantify nivolumab (an anti-PD-1 antibody) using trastuzumab as the internal standard.Calibration curves were linear in the range of 1–200 µg/mL. The intra- and inter-day precision and accuracy in human plasma fulfilled Food and Drug Administration guideline criteria for bioanalytical validation. There was no need to change the measurement method in mouse plasma. On the other hand, in rat plasma, an interference peak was observed at a retention time similar to that of the surrogate peptide ASGITFSNSGMHWVR (550.75 > 661.50) employed in human and mouse plasma. Therefore, we confirmed that ASQSVSSYLAWYQQKPGQAPR (785.0 > 940.2) can be used as an alternate nivolumab surrogate peptide in rat plasma at the same concentration range as used in human and mouse plasma. Using our method, the concentration range and a gradual increase in trough value were confirmed in clinical samples from two antibody-treated patients, including one with gastric cancer and one with non-small-cell lung cancer. The time course and blood concentration transition also were evaluated in nivolumab administration experiments in mouse and rat.The present study showed that the selection of the optimal peptide is essential for accurate LC-MS/MS measurement of nivolumab concentration in human, mouse, and rat plasma. The method developed here is expected to be of use in non-clinical and clinical pharmacokinetic studies.

IMMU-09. NIVOLUMAB THERAPY FOR A PEDIATRIC-ONSET PRIMARY INTRACRANIAL MELANOMA

Primary intracranial malignant melanoma (PIMM) is an uncommon cancer in childhood, that accounts for approximately 1% of melanoma, and 0.07% of brain tumors even in all age group. Because extracranial malignant melanoma usually occurs as a cutaneous lesion, affected patients have a chance to receive the early diagnosis and curable resection of the isolated tumor. However, unresectable metastatic cases have a poor prognosis with a median overall survival of 8 months. We report a 12-year-old girl with PIMM who received nivolumab therapy after an administration of dacarbazine. The tumor harbored no BRAF mutation. After the intravenous administration of nivolumab, cerebrospinal fluid 5-S-cysteinyldopa levels declined and circulating CD8+HLA-DR+T cells increased, indicating the initial effect of nivolumab on PIMM. However, multiple lesions progressed for two month-immunotherapy, during which cerebrospinal fluid nivolumab concentrations attained to 1.2% of serum ones. The present case demonstrated the safety and modest effect of nivolumab for CNS melanoma. Nivolumab is a tolerable first-line therapy for diffuse PIMM, but pediatric patients need a more intensified CNS-specific immunotherapy.

Topical Delivery of Nivolumab, a Therapeutic Antibody, by Fractional Laser and Pneumatic Injection.

PD-L1 is a tumor ligand that binds to the PD-1 receptor on immune cells, thereby inhibiting the antitumor immune response. The antibody nivolumab is a PD-1 inhibitor, Food and Drug Administration approved for systemic treatment of several aggressive cancer types. Topically applied nivolumab may hold potential as a future strategy to treat keratinocyte cancer, but its molecular properties preclude unassisted topical uptake. The aim of this study was to investigate uptake and biodistribution of topically delivered nivolumab, assisted by two physical enhancement techniques with different delivery kinetics; ablative fractional laser (AFL) and electronically controlled pneumatic injection (EPI). In vitro porcine skin was exposed to CO2 AFL (20 mJ/mb, 5% density), followed by passive diffusion of nivolumab in a Franz cell (1 mg/ml, 18 hours, n = 6) or treated with EPI (4 bar) for immediate delivery of nivolumab (1 mg/ml, 10 minutes, n = 6). The resulting nivolumab skin concentrations were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) at three skin depths (100, 500, and 1500 µm), comparing the uptake from assisted delivery with intact skin. Biodistribution of nivolumab in the skin for all interventions was visualized by laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) and fluorescence microscopy. Delivery of nivolumab by AFL-assisted passive diffusion and immediate EPI both resulted in significantly enhanced uptake of nivolumab in all skin depths compared with intact skin (P < 0.05). WithAFL, nivolumab concentrations reached 86.3 µg/cm3 (100 µm), 105.8 µg/cm3 (500 µm), and 19.3 µg/cm3 (1500 µm), corresponding to 2-10% of the applied concentration, with the highest deposition in the mid dermis. Immediate EPI delivered 429.4 µg/cm3 (100 µm), 584.9 µg/cm3 (500 µm), and 295.9 µg/cm3 (1500 µm) into the skin, corresponding to 29-58% of the applied nivolumab concentration. From qualitative visualization of the biodistribution, it appeared that nivolumab distributed in a horizontal and continuous homogenous band in the upper and mid dermis through AFL-exposed skin, whereas EPI-delivery showed a deep focal deposition extending into the deep dermis. AFL-assisted passive diffusion and immediate EPI-assisted delivery show the potential to deliver therapeutic antibodies locally. Future in vivo and pharmacokinetic studies would reveal the full potential for topical antibody delivery by energy-based devices. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Analyses of Nivolumab Exposure and Clinical Safety Between 3-mg/kg Dosing and 240-mg Flat Dosing in Asian Patients with Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma in the Real-World Clinical Setting

We aimed to identify the clinical characteristics related to increased nivolumab exposure in Japanese patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in real-world clinical setting. Eleven patients were treated with the originally approved nivolumab dosing regimen of 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks (Q2W) (3-mg/kg group) and 8 patients with a flat dose of 240 mg Q2W (flat dosing group). Trough concentrations (Cmin) until the fifth cycle were measured by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using anti-nivolumab monoclonal antibody established by the Autonomously Diversifying Library system. Mean Cmin at four cycles of nivolumab were significantly higher in the flat dosing group than in the 3-mg/kg group. In an analysis of covariates related to nivolumab concentration, serum albumin (Alb) was significantly lower in the 3-mg/kg group than in the flat dose group. Cmin correlated significantly with serum Alb at all cycles. In conclusion, serum Alb was a potential clinically relevant covariate for nivolumab pharmacokinetics in Japanese RCC patients. Further studies should verify whether serum Alb affects nivolumab efficacy and toxicity.

Intracranial antitumor responses of nivolumab and ipilimumab: a pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic perspective, a scoping systematic review

BackgroundRecently, two phase II trials showed intracranial activity of the immune checkpoint inhibitors nivolumab and ipilimumab in patients with melanoma brain metastases. However, it is generally assumed that large molecules like monoclonal antibodies nivolumab and ipilimumab cannot penetrate and pass an intact blood brain barrier (BBB). In this systematic review we provide a pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic consideration of the clinical activity of the immune checkpoint inhibitors nivolumab and ipilimumab in melanoma brain metastases.MethodsPubmed was systematically searched for prospective phase II and III studies on nivolumab and ipilimumab in melanoma brain metastases and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of nivolumab and ipilimumab. Results were discussed and a perspective on the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics for the intracranial activity of these agents was given.ResultsTwo phase II studies with the combination nivolumab and ipilimumab and one phase II study with ipilimumab monotherapy in melanoma brain metastases were included in this review. One article reported drug levels of nivolumab in CSF. Intracranial responses were achieved in 16 of 35 patients (46%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 29–63) in a phase II study cohort treated with nivolumab and ipilimumab. In a second phase II study in 94 patients, the rate of intracranial clinical benefit was 57% (95% CI 47–68). The CSF/serum ratio of nivolumab was 0.88–1.9% in a cohort of metastatic melanoma patients treated with nivolumab 1–3 mg/kg. Nivolumab concentrations ranged from 35 to 150 ng/ml in CSF of these patients, which is in the range of the half maximal effective concentration (EC50) of 0.64 nM.ConclusionsIpilimumab and nivolumab are active in melanoma brain metastases. Nivolumab penetrates into the CSF. Based on the described findings the general consensus that monoclonal antibodies do not penetrate into the central nervous system (CNS) and cannot have a direct intracranial effect needs to be reconsidered.

Influence of Vitamin D in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Treated with Nivolumab.

Nivolumab is one of the most commonly used monoclonal antibodies for advanced non-small cell lung cancer treatment, to the extent that the presence of its anti-antibody is considered a negative prognostic factor. Vitamin D (VD) modulates expression of the genes involved in drug metabolism and elimination. Immune system regulation and immunodeficiency is frequent in non-small cell lung cancer patients. To date, no data have been reported about the relationship between nivolumab and VD. The aim of this study was to quantify plasma 25-hydroxyVD (25-VD) and 1,25-VD, nivolumab, and its anti-antibody before starting treatment (baseline) and at 15, 45 and 60 days of therapy. VD-pathway-associated gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were also evaluated. Molecules were quantified through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and SNPs through real-time PCR. Forty-five patients were enrolled. Median nivolumab concentrations were 12.5 μg/mL, 22.3 μg/mL and 27.1 μg/mL at 15, 45 and 60 days respectively. No anti-nivolumab antibodies were found. Correlations were observed between nivolumab concentrations and 25-VD levels. Nivolumab concentrations were affected by VD-pathway-related gene SNPs. VDBP AC/CC genotype and baseline 25-VD < 10 ng/mL predicted a nivolumab concentration cut-off value of <18.7 μg/mL at 15 days, which was associated with tumor progression. This is the first study showing VD marker predictors of nivolumab concentrations in a real-life context of non-small cell lung cancer treatment.

An LC-MS/MS Method for Absolute Quantification of Nivolumab in Human Plasma: Application to Clinical Therapeutic Drug Monitoring.

Nivolumab is a fully humanized IgG4 monoclonal antibody that targets the programmed death-1 (PD-1) receptor, disrupting PD-1-mediated signaling and restoring antitumor immunity. The objective of this study was to develop a nivolumab quantification method using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and to evaluate its application in clinical therapeutic drug monitoring. Nivolumab was purified from human plasma using rProtein A resin and then digested with trypsin. The ASGITFSNSGMHWVR peptide (multiple reaction monitoring transition: m/z 550.6→661.4) was detected as a surrogate peptide of nivolumab by triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. Plasma samples (126) were collected from 14 patients with non-small cell lung cancer who were undergoing clinical dosing regimen with nivolumab. The pharmacokinetic data were analyzed using Phoenix NLME software (Version 7.0, Certara, St. Louis, MO) based on a previously reported population pharmacokinetics (PPK) model of nivolumab. Nivolumab was selectively detected in human plasma and the linear range was 5-200 mcg/mL (R = 0.99). The accuracy and intraday and interday imprecision were within ±15% of the quality control values of 5 (lower limit of quantification), 10 (low), 80 (medium), and 160 (high) mcg/mL. The nivolumab concentrations measured using LC-MS/MS were consistent with those of previously reported PPK models, and the pharmacokinetic parameters could be adequately predicted from a single trough concentration using a Bayesian approach. An absolute quantification method for nivolumab using LC-MS/MS was successfully developed and validated. Combined with PPK analysis, this method should be useful for the therapeutic drug monitoring of nivolumab in clinical practice.

Nivolumab Exposure-Response Analyses of Efficacy and Safety in Previously Treated Squamous or Nonsquamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Purpose: Nivolumab is a fully human IgG4 monoclonal antiprogrammed death-1 antibody with demonstrated efficacy, including durable responses and prolonged survival, in patients with previously treated, advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Exposure-response (E-R) analyses for efficacy and safety were conducted to inform the benefit-risk assessment of nivolumab in this patient population.Experimental Design: The analyses used clinical trial data from patients with squamous (n = 293) or nonsquamous (n = 354) NSCLC from four clinical trials who received nivolumab doses of 1 to 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks. E-R efficacy analyses were performed by investigating the relationship between time-averaged nivolumab concentration after the first dose (Cavg1) and the probability of overall survival by histology. E-R safety analyses examined relationships between nivolumab Cavg1 and hazards of adverse events leading to discontinuation or death (AEs-DC/D).Results: Nivolumab exposure was not associated with overall survival [the 95% confidence interval (CI) of effect included 1] in patients with squamous (HR, 0.802; 95% CI, 0.555-1.16) or nonsquamous NSCLC (HR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.683-1.29). Similarly, nivolumab exposure was not associated with AEs-DC/D in the overall population (HR, 0.917; 95% CI, 0.644-1.31). The risk of AEs-DC/D was similar among patients with squamous or nonsquamous histology.Conclusions: Nivolumab monotherapy demonstrated a wide therapeutic margin, as evidenced by relatively flat E-R relationships over the range of exposures produced by doses of 1 to 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks (Q2W), supporting the use of the initially approved dose of 3 mg/kg Q2W in patients with NSCLC. Clin Cancer Res; 23(18); 5394-405. ©2017 AACR.

Model-Based Population Pharmacokinetic Analysis of Nivolumab in Patients With Solid Tumors.

Nivolumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody that inhibits programmed death‐1 activation. The clinical pharmacology profile of nivolumab was analyzed by a population pharmacokinetics model that assessed covariate effects on nivolumab concentrations in 1,895 patients who received 0.3–10.0 mg/kg nivolumab in 11 clinical trials. Nivolumab pharmacokinetics is linear with a time‐varying clearance. A full covariate model was developed to assess covariate effects on pharmacokinetic parameters. Nivolumab clearance and volume of distribution increase with body weight. The final model included the effects of baseline performance status (PS), baseline body weight, and baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), sex, and race on clearance, and effects of baseline body weight and sex on volume of distribution in the central compartment. Sex, PS, baseline eGFR, age, race, baseline lactate dehydrogenase, mild hepatic impairment, tumor type, tumor burden, and programmed death ligand‐1 expression had a significant but not clinically relevant (<20%) effect on nivolumab clearance.