A Durable Response after the Discontinuation of Nivolumab in an Advanced Gastric Cancer Patient

Intern Med. 2021 Apr 1;60(7):1011-1017. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.5893-20. Epub 2020 Nov 9.

Abstract

A durable response after the discontinuation of immune checkpoint-inhibitor therapy has previously been reported in several cancers. We herein describe a patient with gastric cancer who maintained a durable response after the discontinuation of nivolumab. A 65-year-old man was treated with nivolumab as a sixth-line therapy for recurrent gastric cancer. After four cycles of nivolumab therapy, he showed a partial response. But the treatment was discontinued when two immune-related adverse events occurred after six cycles. Disease regression was sustained for approximately 2 years, without the re-administration of nivolumab. The characteristics leading to such responses are unclear, and further studies are warranted in this regard.

Keywords: PD-1; durable response; gastric cancer; immune checkpoint inhibitor; immune-related adverse event; nivolumab.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
  • Nivolumab*
  • Stomach Neoplasms* / drug therapy

Substances

  • Nivolumab