Tailored Immunotherapy Approach With Nivolumab in Advanced Transitional Cell Carcinoma

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Marc Oliver Grimm - , Friedrich Schiller University Jena (Author)
  • Bernd Jürgen Schmitz-Dräger - , St. Theresien Hospital Nuremberg, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (Author)
  • Uwe Zimmermann - , University of Greifswald (Author)
  • Christine Barbara Grün - , German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) (Author)
  • Gustavo Bruno Baretton - , Institute of Pathology, National Center for Tumor Diseases Dresden, TUD Dresden University of Technology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) (Author)
  • Marc Schmitz - , National Center for Tumor Diseases Dresden, University Medicine (Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital), Institute for Immunology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) (Author)
  • Susan Foller - , Friedrich Schiller University Jena (Author)
  • Katharina Leucht - , Friedrich Schiller University Jena (Author)
  • Martin Schostak - , Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg (Author)
  • Friedemann Zengerling - , Ulm University (Author)
  • Ulrike Schumacher - , Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University Jena (Author)
  • Wolfgang Loidl - , Linz Hospital Elisabethinen (Author)
  • Johannes Meran - , Hospital Barmherzige Brüder Salzburg (Author)

Abstract

PURPOSESeveral anti-programmed cell death (ligand)-1 (PD-[L]1) immune checkpoint inhibitors are approved in advanced/metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC). Recently, improved activity of an anti-PD-1/anticytotoxic T-cell lymphocyte-4 (CTLA-4) combination versus anti-PD-1 monotherapy has been reported. We report a response-based approach starting treatment with nivolumab monotherapy with nivolumab/ipilimumab as immunotherapeutic boost.METHODSAfter four doses of nivolumab induction, responders continued with nivolumab maintenance therapy. Patients with stable/progressive disease received nivolumab 3 mg/kg plus ipilimumab 1 mg/kg once every 3 weeks for 2 doses followed by nivolumab 1 mg/kg plus ipilimumab 3 mg/kg once every 3 weeks for 2 doses, if not responding to the initial boost. Responders to boosts continued with nivolumab maintenance. Between July 2017 and April 2019, 86 patients were enrolled. The median follow-up is 7.7 months. The primary end point is objective response rate (ORR) per RECIST1.1. Secondary end points include efficacy of nivolumab induction, remission rate with nivolumab/ipilimumab boosts, overall survival, and safety.RESULTSOf all patients, 42, 39, and five were first- (1L), second- (2L), and third-line (3L), respectively. The median age was 68 years. The ORR with nivolumab monotherapy (assessed at week 8) was 29% in 1L and 23% in 2/3L, respectively. Forty-one patients received early (week 8) and 11 received later nivolumab/ipilimumab boosts. ORRs with nivolumab with or without nivolumab/ipilimumab (best overall response) were 45% and 27% in 1L and 2/3L, respectively. In 1L, 7 of 17 patients receiving boosts at week 8 improved, compared with 2 of 24 in 2/3L.CONCLUSIONThe tailored approach of TITAN-TCC shows meaningful clinical activity supporting dual checkpoint inhibition in 1L mUC. However, starting therapy with nivolumab exclusively appears inadequate given the aggressive nature of mUC. In 2/3L, nivolumab/ipilimumab boosts with escalating ipilimumab dose did not improve efficacy outcomes versus nivolumab monotherapy. An independent 2L cohort of TITAN-TCC receiving nivolumab 1 mg/kg plus ipilimumab 3 mg/kg once every 3 weeks for 4 doses is ongoing.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2128-2137
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of clinical oncology
Volume40
Issue number19
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jul 2022
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 35275706

Keywords