Abstract 71P
Background
Immunotherapy with PD-1/PDL1 blocking monoclonal antibodies has improved survival compared to the standard-of-care chemotherapy for several malignancies at different stages of these malignancies. Due to financial constraints, many cancer patients in medical need have no access to these drugs. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether a low dose of nivolumab could also lead to an effective therapeutic response.
Methods
A retrospective analysis was conducted at IMS and SUM Hospital, Bhubaneswar, India, focusing on advanced cancer patients unable to afford standard immunotherapy. Patients received a flat low dose of nivolumab (40 mg every 28 days), with treatment continued until disease progression or intolerable toxicity. Data were gathered from electronic medical records, including demographics, treatment details, and adverse events.
Results
A total of 46 patients received low dose nivolumab for different malignancies. The mean age of the participants was fifty-two years. The median follow-up time for all patients was 5.8 months. The median OS was 7.6 (range, 4.1-16.0) months. The overall response rate (ORR) was found to be 28.5%, with the disease control rate (DCR) being 52%. In metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients, the ORR and DCR were higher than the overall population, at 37.5% and 75%, respectively. One patient achieved complete remission, and one had prolonged partial remission.
Conclusions
A low dose of nivolumab is a cheap and effective therapeutic option for patients in medical need for whom standard-dose immune checkpoint inhibitors are not accessible for any reason.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
The authors.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.