Efficacy of subsequent docetaxel +/− ramucirumab and S‐1 after nivolumab for patients with advanced non‐small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND: Cytotoxic chemotherapy for advanced non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as second‐line or subsequent treatment generally results in a poor treatment outcome. Several reports have indicated that subsequent cytotoxic chemotherapy in patients who have received immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) might have relatively better efficacy. METHODS: The clinical data of advanced NSCLC patients treated with nivolumab during clinical practice at the National Cancer Center Hospital between 17 December 2015 and 31 August 2017 were consecutively reviewed, and the treatment outcomes of docetaxel‐based chemotherapy (docetaxel +/− ramucirumab) or S‐1 after nivolumab were analyzed. The results were then compared with those of advanced NSCLC patients treated with docetaxel or S‐1 but not ICIs during clinical practice between 17 December 2014 and 16 December 2015. RESULTS: Thirty patients were administered docetaxel‐based chemotherapy and 21 patients were administered S‐1 in any line after nivolumab. Twenty‐four patients were administered docetaxel‐based chemotherapy and 15 patients were administered S‐1 immediately after nivolumab. Sixty‐six patients were administered docetaxel and 23 patients were administered S‐1 without ICIs. The objective response rate, disease control rate, and median progression‐free survival duration were 28.6%, 53.6%, and 5.26 months for patients receiving docetaxel‐based chemotherapy or S‐1 immediately after nivolumab treatment; 24.3%, 51.4%, and 3.88 months for patients receiving docetaxel‐based chemotherapy or S‐1 in any line after nivolumab; and 16.4%, 56.7%, and 2.74 months, for patients receiving docetaxel or S‐1 without ICIs, respectively. CONCLUSION: Subsequent cytotoxic chemotherapy, especially immediately after nivolumab, has better treatment efficacy than that of regimens without ICI pretreatment.