Efficacy and safety of programmed death-1 inhibitors combined with chemotherapy in patients with advanced gastric cancer

Abstract Objective Programmed death-1 (PD-1) inhibitors combined with chemotherapy show certain clinical benefits in advanced gastric cancer patients, but more evidence is still needed. The present study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of PD-1 inhibitors combined with chemotherapy in th...

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Main Authors: Xiaofei Cheng, Yang Zhang, Xingyuan Li, Zhenning Xu, Yaolin Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-08-01
Series:BMC Gastroenterology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12876-025-04207-0
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author Xiaofei Cheng
Yang Zhang
Xingyuan Li
Zhenning Xu
Yaolin Chen
author_facet Xiaofei Cheng
Yang Zhang
Xingyuan Li
Zhenning Xu
Yaolin Chen
author_sort Xiaofei Cheng
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Objective Programmed death-1 (PD-1) inhibitors combined with chemotherapy show certain clinical benefits in advanced gastric cancer patients, but more evidence is still needed. The present study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of PD-1 inhibitors combined with chemotherapy in these patients. Methods Forty-three patients with advanced gastric cancer receiving PD-1 inhibitors (including camrelizumab, sintilimab, and tislelizumab, 200 mg every 3 weeks) combined with chemotherapy were retrospectively enrolled. Data on treatment response, progression-free survival (PFS), and adverse reactions were collected. Results There were 1 (2.3%), 9 (20.9%), 32 (74.4%), and 1 (2.3%) patient who achieved complete response, partial response, stable disease, and progressive disease, respectively. The objective response rate and disease control rate were 23.3% and 97.7%. The 1- and 2-year cumulative PFS rates were 63.3% and 19.8%. The median PFS (95% confidence interval) was 13.5 (10.7–16.3) months. Higher Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status score (per score) [hazard ratio (HR) = 5.404, P = 0.047] and higher maximum diameter of the lesion (per cm) (HR = 1.860, P = 0.048) independently predicted shorter PFS. The adverse reactions included hemoglobin decreased (76.7%; grade 3: 16.3%), white blood cells decreased (74.4%; grade 3: 7.0%), blood platelet decreased (25.6%; grade 3: 2.3%), white blood cells increased (9.3%; grade 3: none), and reactive cutaneous capillary endothelial proliferation (23.3%; grade 3: 2.3%). Conclusion PD-1 inhibitors combined with chemotherapy may be an optional regimen for patients with advanced gastric cancer. However, the retrospective design and small sample size may limit the generalizability and robustness of our findings.
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spelling doaj-art-ebea4730dbc74f0d8767b6cb473833452025-08-24T11:32:48ZengBMCBMC Gastroenterology1471-230X2025-08-012511810.1186/s12876-025-04207-0Efficacy and safety of programmed death-1 inhibitors combined with chemotherapy in patients with advanced gastric cancerXiaofei Cheng0Yang Zhang1Xingyuan Li2Zhenning Xu3Yaolin Chen4Department of Oncology, Anqing 116 HospitalDepartment of Oncology, Anqing 116 HospitalDepartment of Oncology, Anqing 116 HospitalDepartment of Oncology, Anqing 116 HospitalDepartment of Oncology, Anqing 116 HospitalAbstract Objective Programmed death-1 (PD-1) inhibitors combined with chemotherapy show certain clinical benefits in advanced gastric cancer patients, but more evidence is still needed. The present study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of PD-1 inhibitors combined with chemotherapy in these patients. Methods Forty-three patients with advanced gastric cancer receiving PD-1 inhibitors (including camrelizumab, sintilimab, and tislelizumab, 200 mg every 3 weeks) combined with chemotherapy were retrospectively enrolled. Data on treatment response, progression-free survival (PFS), and adverse reactions were collected. Results There were 1 (2.3%), 9 (20.9%), 32 (74.4%), and 1 (2.3%) patient who achieved complete response, partial response, stable disease, and progressive disease, respectively. The objective response rate and disease control rate were 23.3% and 97.7%. The 1- and 2-year cumulative PFS rates were 63.3% and 19.8%. The median PFS (95% confidence interval) was 13.5 (10.7–16.3) months. Higher Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status score (per score) [hazard ratio (HR) = 5.404, P = 0.047] and higher maximum diameter of the lesion (per cm) (HR = 1.860, P = 0.048) independently predicted shorter PFS. The adverse reactions included hemoglobin decreased (76.7%; grade 3: 16.3%), white blood cells decreased (74.4%; grade 3: 7.0%), blood platelet decreased (25.6%; grade 3: 2.3%), white blood cells increased (9.3%; grade 3: none), and reactive cutaneous capillary endothelial proliferation (23.3%; grade 3: 2.3%). Conclusion PD-1 inhibitors combined with chemotherapy may be an optional regimen for patients with advanced gastric cancer. However, the retrospective design and small sample size may limit the generalizability and robustness of our findings.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12876-025-04207-0Programmed death-1 inhibitors combined with chemotherapyAdvanced gastric cancerTreatment responseProgression-free survivalAdverse reactions
spellingShingle Xiaofei Cheng
Yang Zhang
Xingyuan Li
Zhenning Xu
Yaolin Chen
Efficacy and safety of programmed death-1 inhibitors combined with chemotherapy in patients with advanced gastric cancer
BMC Gastroenterology
Programmed death-1 inhibitors combined with chemotherapy
Advanced gastric cancer
Treatment response
Progression-free survival
Adverse reactions
title Efficacy and safety of programmed death-1 inhibitors combined with chemotherapy in patients with advanced gastric cancer
title_full Efficacy and safety of programmed death-1 inhibitors combined with chemotherapy in patients with advanced gastric cancer
title_fullStr Efficacy and safety of programmed death-1 inhibitors combined with chemotherapy in patients with advanced gastric cancer
title_full_unstemmed Efficacy and safety of programmed death-1 inhibitors combined with chemotherapy in patients with advanced gastric cancer
title_short Efficacy and safety of programmed death-1 inhibitors combined with chemotherapy in patients with advanced gastric cancer
title_sort efficacy and safety of programmed death 1 inhibitors combined with chemotherapy in patients with advanced gastric cancer
topic Programmed death-1 inhibitors combined with chemotherapy
Advanced gastric cancer
Treatment response
Progression-free survival
Adverse reactions
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12876-025-04207-0
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