Scientific Reports (Oct 2024)

Efficacy and safety of dual blockade of HER2 and PD-1 in patients with HER2-positive gastric cancer: a retrospective, multicentre study

  • Shuyi Cen,
  • Meiqin Yuan,
  • Qunan Sun,
  • Guilan Hou,
  • Jieer Ying,
  • Qi Xu,
  • Yu Zheng,
  • Ying Dong,
  • Hongming Pan,
  • Weidong Han

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-76296-y
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14, no. 1
pp. 1 – 11

Abstract

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Abstract Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) expression is one of the most important pathological characteristics of gastric cancer. The positive rate of HER2 expression in patients with gastric cancer is approximately 20%. The phase III Keynote-811 study revealed that anti-HER2 and anti-PD-1 therapy combined with chemotherapy could significantly improve the objective response rate as first-line treatment in patients with HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of combination therapy with trastuzumab and PD-1 inhibitors in patients with advanced HER2-positive gastric cancer in a real-world setting. Seventy-two HER2-positive gastric cancer patients from three hospitals in China were retrospectively reviewed. These patients were treated with trastuzumab plus one anti-PD-1 agent with or without chemotherapy. The overall response rate, progression-free survival and overall survival were assessed according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours (RECIST 1.1). From January 2018 to October 2021, 72 patients with HER2-positive gastric cancer received trastuzumab and a PD-1 inhibitor with or without chemotherapy as neoadjuvant chemotherapy, first-line therapy, second-line therapy or salvage therapy. The ORR was 54.2% for all patients and 79.4% for previously untreated patients. The median PFS and median OS were 10 months (95% CI: 8–13 months) and 26.1 months (95% CI: 18.5-NA months), respectively, for all patients. Grade 3 adverse effects occurred in approximately 25% of patients. Immune-related adverse effects occurred in approximately 12.5% of patients. Trastuzumab and PD-1 inhibitor combination therapy with or without chemotherapy achieved satisfactory survival outcomes in patients with HER2-positive gastric cancer with acceptable safety.

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