A Phase 2 study of nivolumab in combination with modified FOLFIRINOX for metastatic pancreatic cancer

Nivolumab with modified FOLFIRINOX (mFOLFIRINOX) may have additive antitumour effects while minimising chemotherapy cytotoxicity. We assessed the efficacy and safety of nivolumab+mFOLFIRINOX in metastatic pancreatic cancer.

Thirty-one treatment-naïve patients aged ≥20 years with metastatic unresectable/recurrent pancreatic cancer (≥1 measurable lesion per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours version 1.1) and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group 0/1 score and life expectancy ≥90 days received nivolumab (480 mg, every 4 weeks) plus mFOLFIRINOX. The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR). Secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) and safety.

At the median follow-up of 13.4 months, the ORR was 32.3% (complete response 0%; partial response 32.3%) and the median duration of response was 7.4 (range: 3.5–21.9) months; the primary endpoint was not met. Median OS and PFS were 13.4 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 10.6–16.6) months and 7.4 (95% CI: 3.9–9.2) months, respectively. The 1-year survival rate was 54.8% (95% CI: 36.0%–70.3%). Drug-related serious adverse events were reported in 29.0% of the patients; 3.2% drug-related adverse events led to discontinuation, and none led to death within 30-day safety window.

Nivolumab+mFOLFIRINOX was tolerable in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. ORR and survival were comparable to previously reported data. (JapicCTI-184230)