Project description:PurposeProgrammed death 1 is an immune checkpoint that suppresses antitumor immunity. Nivolumab, a fully human immunoglobulin G4 programmed death 1 immune checkpoint inhibitor antibody, was active and generally well tolerated in patients with advanced solid tumors treated in a phase I trial with expansion cohorts. We report overall survival (OS), response durability, and long-term safety in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) receiving nivolumab in this trial.Patients and methodsPatients (N = 129) with heavily pretreated advanced NSCLC received nivolumab 1, 3, or 10 mg/kg intravenously once every 2 weeks in 8-week cycles for up to 96 weeks. Tumor burden was assessed by RECIST (version 1.0) after each cycle.ResultsMedian OS across doses was 9.9 months; 1-, 2-, and 3-year OS rates were 42%, 24%, and 18%, respectively, across doses and 56%, 42%, and 27%, respectively, at the 3-mg/kg dose (n = 37) chosen for further clinical development. Among 22 patients (17%) with objective responses, estimated median response duration was 17.0 months. An additional six patients (5%) had unconventional immune-pattern responses. Response rates were similar in squamous and nonsquamous NSCLC. Eighteen responding patients discontinued nivolumab for reasons other than progressive disease; nine (50%) of those had responses lasting > 9 months after their last dose. Grade 3 to 4 treatment-related adverse events occurred in 14% of patients. Three treatment-related deaths (2% of patients) occurred, each associated with pneumonitis.ConclusionNivolumab monotherapy produced durable responses and encouraging survival rates in patients with heavily pretreated NSCLC. Randomized clinical trials with nivolumab in advanced NSCLC are ongoing.
Project description:BackgroundNivolumab is a programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) receptor inhibitor antibody that enhances immune system antitumor activity. It is associated with longer overall survival (OS) than the standard treatment of docetaxel in patients with previously treated advanced squamous (SQ) and non-squamous (non-SQ) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We previously conducted two phase II studies of nivolumab in Japanese patients with SQ (ONO-4538-05) and non-SQ (ONO-4538-06) NSCLC, showing overall response rates (ORRs) (95% CI) of 25.7% (14.2-42.1) and 22.4% (14.5-32.9), respectively, with acceptable toxicity. In this analysis, we more precisely estimated the long-term safety and efficacy in patients with SQ and non-SQ NSCLC by pooling data from these two trials.MethodsSQ (N = 35) and non-SQ (N = 76) NSCLC patients received nivolumab (3 mg/kg, every 2 weeks) until progression or discontinuation. OS was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. A pooled analysis of SQ and non-SQ patients was also performed.ResultsIn SQ NSCLC patients, the median OS (95% CI) was 16.3 months (12.4-25.2), and the estimated 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year survival rates were 71.4% (53.4-83.5), 37.1% (21.6-52.7), and 20.0% (8.8-34.4), respectively. In non-SQ NSCLC patients, median OS was 17.1 months (13.3-23.0), and the estimated 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates were 68.0% (56.2-77.3), 37.4% (26.5-48.1), and 31.9% (21.7-42.5), respectively. When SQ NSCLC and non-SQ NSCLC data were pooled, the median OS was 17.1 months (14.2-20.6), and the estimated 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates were 69.1% (59.6-76.8), 37.3% (28.3-46.2), and 28.1% (20.0-36.7), respectively. Twenty (76.9%) of 26 responders lived for 3 or more years. Nivolumab was well tolerated and no new safety signals were found.ConclusionTreatment with nivolumab improved long-term survival and was well tolerated in patients with SQ and non-SQ NSCLC.Trial registrationJapicCTI-132072; JapicCTI-132073.
Project description:BackgroundTwo phase II studies in Japan examined the efficacy and safety of nivolumab, a programmed cell death 1 receptor inhibitor, in patients with advanced squamous and non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (ONO-4538-05 and ONO-4538-06). We examined the long-term efficacy and safety of nivolumab in these patients treated for up to 5 years.MethodsPatients with squamous (N = 35) or non-squamous (N = 76) non-small cell lung cancer received nivolumab (3 mg/kg every 2 weeks) until disease progression/death. Overall survival and progression-free survival were assessed at 5 years after starting treatment in separate and pooled analyses. Safety was evaluated in terms of treatment-related adverse events.ResultsA total of 17 patients were alive at the database lock (26 July 2019). The median overall survival (95% confidence interval) and 5-year survival rate were 16.3 (12.4-25.2) months and 14.3% in squamous patients, 17.1 (13.3-23.0) months and 19.4% in non-squamous patients and 17.1 (14.2-20.6) months and 17.8% in the pooled analysis, respectively. Programmed death ligand-1 expression tended to be greater among 5-year survivors than in non-survivors (P = 0.0703). Overall survival prolonged with increasing programmed death ligand-1 expression, with 5-year survival rates of 11.8, 21.8 and 41.7% in patients with programmed death ligand-1 expression of <1, ≥1-<50 and ≥50%, respectively. Treatment-related adverse events in ≥10% of patients (pooled analysis) included rash (15.3%), malaise (14.4%), decreased appetite (14.4%), pyrexia (14.4%) and nausea (10.8%).ConclusionsLong-term survival with nivolumab was observed in patients with squamous or non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer. No new safety signals were reported after ≥5 years of follow-up.
Project description:BackgroundONO-4538-52/TASUKI-52 was performed in Japan, Korea, and Taiwan to determine the oncological effectiveness and safety of combining nivolumab or placebo with bevacizumab plus platinum chemotherapy for the initial (first-line) treatment of patients with advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (nsNSCLC). At the interim analysis (minimum follow-up, 7.4 months), the independent radiology review committee-assessed progression-free survival was significantly longer in the nivolumab arm, but overall survival (OS) data were immature.MethodsHere, we present the updated OS data. Patients with treatment-naïve stage IIIB/IV or recurrent nsNSCLC without driver mutations in ALK, EGFR, or ROS1, were randomized 1:1 to receive either nivolumab or placebo. Patients in both arms received paclitaxel, carboplatin, and bevacizumab, administered 3-weekly for a maximum of 6 cycles. Nivolumab/placebo and bevacizumab were subsequently continued until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.ResultsOverall, 550 patients were randomized. At the time of the analysis (minimum follow-up: 19.4 months), the median OS was longer in the nivolumab arm than in the placebo arm (30.8 vs. 24.7 months; hazard ratio 0.74, 95% confidence interval 0.58-0.94). The 12-month OS rates were 81.3% vs. 76.3% in the nivolumab vs. placebo arms, respectively. The respective 18-month OS rates were 69.0% vs. 61.9%.ConclusionNivolumab plus platinum chemotherapy and bevacizumab demonstrated longer OS vs. the placebo combination. We believe this regimen is viable as a standard, first-line treatment for patients with advanced nsNSCLC without driver mutations in ALK, EGFR, or ROS1.
Project description:BACKGROUND:Hypofractionated palliative radiotherapy for metastatic lung cancer patients is frequently used in order to ease pain, to increase bone stability, to treat local mass effects, or to prolong progression-free survival at critical sites. Recently introduced, immunotherapy for patients with non-squamous non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) has significantly improved outcome in this cohort. Preclinical and early clinical data suggest that the combination of photon radiation with programmed death-1 (PD-1) targeting immunotherapies may promote a strong and durable immune response against tumor manifestations both within and beyond radiation targets. METHODS/DESIGN:In the present prospective, two-group, non-randomized, open-label phase II trial, 130 patients with stage IV non-squamous NSCLC in 2nd-line or 3rd-line treatment will be included. 65 patients with a clinical indication for palliative radiotherapy to non-cerebral/non-pulmonary metastatic sites will receive 240 mg nivolumab followed by palliative radiotherapy with 5 × 4 Gray (Gy) = 20 Gy photon radiation, which will be initiated within 72 h after first nivolumab administration (Group A). 65 patients without an indication for radiotherapy will only receive nivolumab (Group B). Nivolumab will be further administered every two weeks in both groups and will be continued until progression and loss of clinical benefit or until occurrence of limiting toxicities. The primary endpoint will be the objective response rate (ORR) according to response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST) 1.1. Secondary endpoints will be progression-free survival (PFS) according to RECIST 1.1, overall survival, descriptive subgroup analyses according to PD-L1 expression, toxicity and quality of life. Since response patterns following immunotherapies differ from those after conventional cytostatic agents, both objective response rate and progression-free survival will additionally be assessed according to immune-related RECIST (irRECIST) criteria. DISCUSSION:The FORCE study will prospectively investigate response rates, progression-free and overall survival (OS), and toxicity of nivolumab with and without hypofractionated palliative radiotherapy in a group of 130 patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (non-squamous histology) in 2nd-line or 3rd-line treatment. This trial will contribute prospective data to the repeatedly published observation that the combination of hypofractionated photon radiotherapy and medical immunotherapy is not only safe but will also promote antitumoral immune responses. TRIAL REGISTRATION:Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT03044626 (Date of initial registration: 05 January 2017). Eudra-CT Number: 2015-005741-31 (Date of initial registration: 18 December 2015).
Project description:BACKGROUND:A standard of care for pretreated, advanced non-small-cell lung cancers (NSCLCs), nivolumab has demonstrated long-term benefit when administered for 2 years. We aimed to better discern an optimized administration duration by retrospectively analyzing real-life long-term efficacy in a prospective cohort. METHODS:All nivolumab-treated adults with advanced NSCLCs (01/09/2015 to 30/09/2016) from nine French centers were eligible. On 31/12/2018, patients who are alive ? 2 years after starting nivolumab were defined as long-term survivors (LTSs) and were divided into three nivolumab treatment groups: <2, 2, or > 2 years. Co-primary endpoints were LTSs' progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS:The median follow-up was 32 months (95% CI, 31.0 to 34.0). The 3-year OS rate for the 259 cohort patients was 16.6%. Among them, 65 were LTSs: 47 treated < 2 years, 7 for 2 years, and 11 > 2 years. Their respective characteristics were: median age: 59, 52, and 58 years; smoking history: 92.9, 100, and 100%; adenocarcinomas: 66, 57.1, and 54.5%. LTSs' median (m)PFS was 28.4 months; mOS was not reached. LTSs' objective response rate was 61.6%. mOS was 32.7 months for those treated < 2 years and not reached for the others. The > 2-year group's 3-year OS was longer. Twenty-eight LTSs experienced no disease progression; 7 had durable complete responses. However, LTSs had more frequent and more severe adverse events. CONCLUSION:In real-life, prolonged nivolumab use provided long-term benefit with 16.6% 3-year OS and 25% LTSs. Survival tended to be prolonged with nivolumab continued beyond 2 years. Prospective randomized trials with adequate design are needed.
Project description:BackgroundNivolumab, a fully human IgG4 programmed death 1 (PD-1) immune-checkpoint-inhibitor antibody, disrupts PD-1-mediated signaling and may restore antitumor immunity.MethodsIn this randomized, open-label, international phase 3 study, we assigned patients with nonsquamous non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that had progressed during or after platinum-based doublet chemotherapy to receive nivolumab at a dose of 3 mg per kilogram of body weight every 2 weeks or docetaxel at a dose of 75 mg per square meter of body-surface area every 3 weeks. The primary end point was overall survival.ResultsOverall survival was longer with nivolumab than with docetaxel. The median overall survival was 12.2 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 9.7 to 15.0) among 292 patients in the nivolumab group and 9.4 months (95% CI, 8.1 to 10.7) among 290 patients in the docetaxel group (hazard ratio for death, 0.73; 96% CI, 0.59 to 0.89; P=0.002). At 1 year, the overall survival rate was 51% (95% CI, 45 to 56) with nivolumab versus 39% (95% CI, 33 to 45) with docetaxel. With additional follow-up, the overall survival rate at 18 months was 39% (95% CI, 34 to 45) with nivolumab versus 23% (95% CI, 19 to 28) with docetaxel. The response rate was 19% with nivolumab versus 12% with docetaxel (P=0.02). Although progression-free survival did not favor nivolumab over docetaxel (median, 2.3 months and 4.2 months, respectively), the rate of progression-free survival at 1 year was higher with nivolumab than with docetaxel (19% and 8%, respectively). Nivolumab was associated with even greater efficacy than docetaxel across all end points in subgroups defined according to prespecified levels of tumor-membrane expression (≥1%, ≥5%, and ≥10%) of the PD-1 ligand. Treatment-related adverse events of grade 3 or 4 were reported in 10% of the patients in the nivolumab group, as compared with 54% of those in the docetaxel group.ConclusionsAmong patients with advanced nonsquamous NSCLC that had progressed during or after platinum-based chemotherapy, overall survival was longer with nivolumab than with docetaxel. (Funded by Bristol-Myers Squibb; CheckMate 057 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01673867.).
Project description:While the initial treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) usually relies on surgical resection followed by systemic cytotoxic chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy, recent advances in understanding of NSCLC biology and immunology have spurred the development of numerous targeted therapies. In particular, a class of immune modulatory drugs targeting the immune checkpoint pathways has demonstrated remarkable durable remissions in a select minority of advanced NSCLC patients, potentially heralding the elusive "cancer cure". This review focuses on the clinical evidence for one of these agents, nivolumab, and clarifies the role of this drug in the context of the other targeted therapies currently available for the treatment of NSCLC. We also discuss the impact of nivolumab on patient quality of life and health economics.
Project description:Immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), specifically inhibitors of programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) and receptor (PD-1) are the new standard of care for the treatment of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in front line setting as monotherapy or along with chemotherapy. Many of these agents are also approved for use in subsequent lines of treatment on progression on platinum doublet chemotherapy. Nivolumab, pembrolizumab and atezolizumab are currently approved ICI for advanced NSCLC. To date, no study has reported efficacy and safety of alternate PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in patients with NSCLC who have progressed on one ICI. Here, we report a case of a patient with advanced NSCLC who had a complete response to atezolizumab, following progression of disease on platinum doublet chemotherapy and then, nivolumab monotherapy.
Project description:BackgroundIn the phase II ATTRACTION-1 study, nivolumab demonstrated a promising antitumor activity among Japanese patients with treatment-refractory advanced esophageal cancer. Here, we report the follow-up results of ATTRACTION-1 of > 5 years.MethodsWe enrolled patients with esophageal cancer that was refractory or intolerant to a standard chemotherapy. Then, nivolumab (3 mg/kg) was administered every 2 weeks. The primary endpoint was a centrally assessed objective response rate.ResultsNivolumab was administered to 65 patients with esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma (ESCC). The centrally assessed objective response rate was 17.2%. The overall survival rates at 3 and 5 years were 10.9% and 6.3%, respectively. Three-year survivors tended to have more reduced target lesions. A total of 63.1% of the patients exhibited treatment-related adverse events, and no new safety signal was observed. Patients with select adverse events tended to have better overall survival than those without. No apparent chronological order was observed between the first response and the onset of select adverse events.ConclusionOur follow-up analysis of more than 5 years is currently the longest and is the first to demonstrate that nivolumab has long-term efficacy and safety for advanced ESCC.