Atypical response patterns in metastatic melanoma and renal cell carcinoma patients treated with nivolumab: A single center experience.

INTRODUCTION

The response patterns of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been recognized to differ from those seen in standard cytotoxic and targeted therapy. Pseudoprogression and hyperprogression are new clinical phenomena specific to the field of immuno-oncology. In this study, we aimed to assess the frequency of hyperprogression and pseudoprogression in metastatic RCC and melanoma patients treated in our institution with the programmed cell death protein-1 inhibitor nivolumab.

METHODS

The medical records of all metastatic melanoma and renal cell carcinoma patients that were treated with nivolumab (n = 54) in Bakirkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital (Istanbul-Turkey), Medical Oncology Clinic between June 2017 and December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

Hyperprogression and pseudoprogression rates were 12% and 9%, respectively and that is consistent with published data.

DISCUSSION: Pseudoprogression and hyperprogression are new radiologic response patterns with immunotherapy agents. It is critical to be aware of these two phenomena in order to make the right decisions for patients.