Immune-Checkpoint Inhibitors for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: A French, Multicenter, Retrospective Real-World Study

International audienceBackgrounds: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a cancer with poor prognosis. Second-line and onward therapy has many options, including immune-checkpoint inhibitors with demonstrated efficacy: 10–25% objective response rate (ORR) and 40–70% disease-control rate (DCR) in clinical trials on selected patients. This study evaluated real-life 2L+ nivolumab efficacy in MPM patients and looked for factors predictive of response. Methods: This retrospective study included (September 2017–July 2021) all MPM patients managed in 11 French centers. Results: The 109 enrolled patients’ characteristics were: median age: 69 years; 67.9% men; 82.6% epithelioid subtype. Strictly, second-line nivolumab was given to 51.4%. Median PFS and OS were 3.8 (3.2–5.9) and 12.8 (9.2–16.4) months. ORR was 17/109 (15.6%); 34/109 patients had a stabilized disease (DCR 46.8%). Univariable analysis identified several parameters as significantly (p 70 years: 2.5 (1.5–4.0). Multivariable analyses retained only biphasic subtype: 3.57 (1.08–11.8) and albumin 70 years. Ancillary studies are needed to identify the predictive factors