Comparison of Dosage of Nivolumab in Efficacy and Safety for Recurrent Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

Background/aim: There are no real-world comparative data of nivolumab doses of 3 mg/kg and 240 mg/body for recurrent/metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (R/M SCCHN). We investigated the efficacy and safety of nivolumab in treating recurrent/metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (R/M SCCHN) at different doses using real-world data.

Patients and methods: R/M SCCHN patients who received nivolumab were divided into the 3 mg/kg and 240 mg/body groups and retrospectively examined for efficacy and safety.

Results: A total of 199 patients (3 mg/kg and 240 mg/body, 88 and 111 patients, respectively) were included. The 3 mg/kg vs. 240 mg/body groups had similar overall response rates (15% vs. 25, p=0.15), disease control rates (46% vs. 57%, p=0.15), overall survival (9.5 months vs. 10.9 months), and progression-free survival (3.7 months vs. 3.8 months, p=0.95). The incidence of immune-related adverse events was also similar in both groups.

Conclusion: In R/M SCCHN patients, nivolumab showed similar efficacy and safety at doses of 3 mg/kg and 240 mg/body.

Keywords: Squamous cell carcinoma; head and neck; nivolumab.