Comparison of flat-dose versus weight-based dose nivolumab treatment in NSCLC patients

Nivolumab is currently widely used in the treatment of lung cancer. Studies have been conducted using flat doses of 240 mg and 3 mg/kg. In fact, studies involving a small number of patients have begun to explore low-dose immunotherapies. The literature on the optimal dose of immunotherapy, the use of weight based, or fixed doses is very recent and has become a one of the subject of ongoing research. This multicenter study included 716 patients with NSCLC. Patients receiving standard doses of 3 mg/kg and 240 mg of nivolumab were divided into subgroups based on their weight. Patients weighing 80 kg have already received a flat dose. However, patients weighing < 80 kg who received a flat dose were considered to be receiving high-dose therapy. Conversely, patients weighing more than 80 kg who received a flat dose were maintained on a low dose. Therefore, overall survival, progression-free survival, and toxicity were examined according to weight-based usage. The median progression free survival (PFS) for those receiving a 3 mg/kg dose was 6 months, whereas it was 9.8 months for those receiving a flat dose (p < 0.001). The median (metastatic overall survival) OS for those receiving a 3 mg/kg dose was 12 months, whereas it was 14 months for those receiving a 240 mg dose (p = 0.03). This study was based on real-world data. Therefore, our results may be instructive regarding the nivolumab dose, which is a commonly used treatment for NSCLC patients. Our results suggest that a flat dose may be preferred in all groups and as a subgroup, especially in patients weighing < 80 kg.