Previous immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment to increase the efficacy of docetaxel and ramucirumab combination chemotherapy

Abstract

Background/Aim: For immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-pretreated patients, docetaxel and ramucirumab (DOC+RAM) combination therapy may be more effective compared to patients not receiving ICI treatment. Patients and Methods: From June 2013 to July 2018, 39 patients with advanced/recurrent non-small cell lung cancer underwent DOC+RAM therapy. We analyzed the efficacy and safety of DOC+RAM therapy based on the presence (pre-ICI+) or absence (pre-ICI–) of ICI pretreatment history. Results: Of the 39 patients treated with DOC+RAM, we identified 18 (46%) pre-ICI+ patients. Overall response rates for DOC+RAM concerning pre-ICI+ and pre-ICI– patients were 38.9% vs. 19.0%, respectively. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 5.7 vs. 2.3 months [hazard ratio(HR)=0.36; 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.16–0.80]. Adverse events such as fever, myalgia, arthritis, pleural effusion, and pneumonitis tended to be increased in pre-ICI+ patients. Conclusion: Despite increased toxicity concerns, DOC+RAM therapy in pre-ICI+ patients showed a trend for tumor regression improvement and statistically significant prolongation of PFS.