Durable response after discontinuation of nivolumab therapy in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma

Jpn J Clin Oncol. 2018 Sep 1;48(9):860-863. doi: 10.1093/jjco/hyy106.

Abstract

We investigated the efficacy of nivolumab treatment in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma who discontinued nivolumab treatment due to reasons other than disease progression. Of the 34 patients, 3 patients discontinued nivolumab therapy due to adverse events and were subsequently observed without additional treatment. The first patient discontinued nivolumab after 14 cycles of treatment due to type 1 diabetes mellitus and has maintained partial remission for 8 months. The second patient discontinued nivolumab after 11 cycles of treatment due to interstitial pneumonitis, and durable response was confirmed for 5 months. However, multiple lung lesions reappeared at 6 months after discontinuing nivolumab. The third patient discontinued nivolumab due to elevated liver enzymes after three cycles of treatment. At the time of discontinuation, a new liver lesion appeared, but the lesion decreased in size at 6 months after discontinuation. In the present study, a relatively durable response was observed in three patients who discontinued nivolumab without additional treatment.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / secondary*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Kidney Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Kidney Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nivolumab
  • Withholding Treatment

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Nivolumab