Potential of Bezafibrate for Combination with Nivolumab in Treatment of Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
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ABSTRACT: Background. Novel combination therapies with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors are needed to overcome resistance to these drugs. Bezafibrate, a ligand of PGC-1a/PPAR complexes, has shown a synergistic antitumor effect with PD-1 blockade in mice that is mediated by activation of mitochondria in T cells. We have therefore now performed a phase I trial of bezafibrate with nivolumab in previously treated patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. The primary end point was the percentage of patients who experience dose-limiting toxicity, and this combination regimen was found to be well tolerated. Preplanned comprehensive analysis of plasma metabolites and gene expression in peripheral cytotoxic T cells indicated that bezafibrate promoted T cell function through upregulation of mitochondrial metabolism including fatty acid oxidation and may thereby have prolonged the duration of response. This combination strategy targeting T cell metabolism thus has the potential to maintain antitumor activity of immune checkpoint inhibitors and warrants further validation.
ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens
PROVIDER: GSE202417 | GEO | 2025/05/06
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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