Intracerebral efficacy and tolerance of nivolumab in non-small-cell lung cancer patients with brain metastases

Forty-three patients were included. BMs were locally pretreated in 34 (79%) patients and active in 16 (37%) patients. Median follow-up was 5.7 (95% CI: 2.7-8.4) months. IORR and extracerebral response rate were, respectively, 9% (95% CI: 3-23%) and 11% (95% CI: 4-26%). Intracerebral control rate was 51% (95% CI: 37-66%). Median intracerebral and general PFS lasted 3.9 (95% CI: 2.8-11.1) and 2.8 (95% CI: 1.8-4.6) months, respectively. Median OS was 7.5 (95% CI: 5.6-not reached) months. Five neurological adverse events occurred, including 1 grade-4 transient ischemic attack of uncertain imputability and 1 grade-3 neurological deficit; neither required nivolumab discontinuation. Nivolumab intracerebral activity was similar to its reported extracerebral efficacy, with an acceptable safety profile. Prospective and controlled data are needed to determine nivolumab's place in treatment of NSCLC patients with BMs.