Cancer Research and Treatment

Original Articles

Real-World Efficacy of First-Line Nivolumab Plus Ipilimumab and Its Practical Predictive Biomarkers in Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma: First Analysis from RENOIR Study (KCSG GU22-13): Jwa Hoon Kim, Sang Joon Shin, Woo Kyun Bae, Se Hyun Kim, Jin Young Kim, Hyeon-Su Im, In-Ho Kim, Il Hwan Kim, Kwonoh Park, Eo Jin Kim, Mihong Choi, Joo Han Lim, Hyunho Kim, Kyoungmin Lee, Hyo-Jeong Kim, Jungmin Jo, Hyo Jin Lee, Dalyong Kim, Byeong Seok Sohn, Inkeun Park, Ji Hyun Park; Received August 8, 2025 Accepted October 11, 2025 Published online October 13, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4143/crt.2025.846 [Epub ahead of print]

Abstract PDF Supplementary Material PubReader ePub: Purpose
We investigated the real-world efficacy of first-line nivolumab plus ipilimumab (NI) and its predictive clinicopathological biomarkers in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (aRCC).
Materials and Methods
We retrospectively analyzed 466 patients with aRCC who started first-line NI between 2019 and 2023 at 21 Korean tertiary hospitals. The primary outcome was objective response rate (ORR). Secondary outcomes were duration of response (DoR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and identification of practical clinicopathological biomarkers.
Results
Median age of patients was 65 years, and 77.7% were male. ORR was 44.8% including 5.2% of complete response, and median DoR was 39.8 months. Male sex and lung metastasis were predictive markers of objective response, and achieving complete response was significantly associated with a longer DoR (p=0.03). With a median follow-up duration of 23.7 months, the median PFS and OS were 11.5 and 44.2 months, respectively. Full exposure to 4 cycles of ipilimumab was significantly associated with better PFS and OS. Durable response could significantly predict better OS, whereas multiple metastatic sites (≥ 4) and poor IMDC risk were two independent predictors for inferior OS. Among the 50 patients who completed 2 years of NI treatment, continuation of nivolumab beyond 2 years has marginally improved OS (p=0.09).
Conclusion
First-line NI showed comparable and competent efficacy in Korean patients with aRCC. We suggest completing full exposure to ipilimumab and durable response as practical predictors of enriched benefits of NI in our real-world.

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Genitourinary cancer

Pemetrexed Maintenance versus Observation in Patients with Advanced Urothelial Carcinoma Who Completed First-Line Platinum-Based Chemotherapy without Disease Progression (PREMIER, KCSG GU16-05): Inkeun Park, Shinkyo Yoon, Ilhwan Kim, Kwonoh Park, Suee Lee, Bhumsuk Keam, Joo-Hwan Park, Jin Young Kim, Yoon Ji Choi, Byeong Seok Sohn, Jae Lyun Lee; Cancer Res Treat. 2025;57(4):1167-1177. Published online December 27, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4143/crt.2024.1003

Abstract PDF PubReader ePub: Purpose
Platinum-based chemotherapy is the standard treatment for advanced urothelial carcinoma (aUC). Switch maintenance therapy after first-line (1L) treatment may delay disease progression. This study evaluated pemetrexed as switch maintenance therapy versus observation in aUC patients without disease progression after initial chemotherapy.
Materials and Methods
Eligible aUC patients who did not progress after 4-6 cycles of cisplatin or carboplatin-based chemotherapy were randomized 1:1 to receive maintenance pemetrexed (500 mg/m² intravenously every 3 weeks, up to 16 cycles) or observation. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS); secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS), response rate, and safety.
Results
The trial was closed early due to slow accrual after avelumab approval. From October 2016 to December 2022, 97 patients were randomized to pemetrexed (n=49) or observation (n=48). The median age was 69 years (range, 43 to 90) and 66 (range, 33 to 82), respectively, with 63% and 73% of patients being male, respectively. The median PFS was 6.0 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.4 to 8.5) with pemetrexed versus 2.3 months (95% CI, 1.8 to 2.7) with observation (p=0.044; hazard ratio [HR], 0.64; 95% CI, 0.41 to 0.99). The median OS was 18.1 months (95% CI, 6.9 to 29.4) for pemetrexed and 17.9 months (95% CI, 16.1 to 19.7) for observation (p=0.913; HR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.61 to 1.73). Common adverse events in the pemetrexed group included anemia (30.6%), fatigue (18.4%), and neutropenia (12.2%), primarily grade 1 or 2.
Conclusion
The PREMIER trial showed that switch maintenance pemetrexed significantly prolonged PFS in aUC patients post-1L platinum-based chemotherapy, with a favorable safety profile. Further studies on combination maintenance therapies are warranted.

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Gastrointestinal cancer

A Phase 3 Randomized Clinical Trial to Compare Efficacy and Safety between Combination Therapy and Monotherapy in Elderly Patients with Advanced Gastric Cancer (KCSG ST13-10): Keun-Wook Lee, Dae Young Zang, Min-Hee Ryu, Hye Sook Han, Ki Hyang Kim, Mi-Jung Kim, Sung Ae Koh, Sung Sook Lee, Dong-Hoe Koo, Yoon Ho Ko, Byeong Seok Sohn, Jin Won Kim, Jin Hyun Park, Byung-Ho Nam, In Sil Choi; Cancer Res Treat. 2023;55(4):1250-1260. Published online May 25, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4143/crt.2023.333

Abstract PDF Supplementary Material PubReader ePub

Purpose
This study evaluated whether combination therapy is more effective than monotherapy in elderly patients with metastatic or recurrent gastric cancer (MRGC) as first-line chemotherapy.
Materials and Methods
Elderly (≥ 70 years) chemo-naïve patients with MRGC were allocated to receive either combination therapy (group A: 5-fluorouracil [5-FU]/oxaliplatin, capecitabine/oxaliplatin, capecitabine/cisplatin, or S-1/cisplatin) or monotherapy (group B: 5-FU, capecitabine, or S-1). In group A, starting doses were 80% of standard doses, and they could be escalated to 100% at the discretion of the investigator. Primary endpoint was to confirm superior overall survival (OS) of combination therapy vs. monotherapy.
Results
After 111 of the planned 238 patients were randomized, enrollment was terminated due to poor accrual. In the full-analysis population (group A [n=53] and group B [n=51]), median OS of combination therapy vs. monotherapy was 11.5 vs. 7.5 months (hazard ratio [HR], 0.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.56 to 1.30; p=0.231). Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 5.6 vs. 3.7 months (HR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.34 to 0.83; p=0.005). In subgroup analyses, patients aged 70-74 years tended to have superior OS with combination therapy (15.9 vs. 7.2 months, p=0.056). Treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) occurred more frequently in group A vs. group B. However, among severe TRAEs (≥ grade 3), there were no TRAEs with a frequency difference of > 5%.
Conclusion
Combination therapy was associated with numerically improved OS, although statistically insignificant, and a significant PFS benefit compared with monotherapy. Although combination therapy showed more frequent TRAEs, there was no difference in the frequency of severe TRAEs.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Effectiveness of first-line combination chemotherapy in older patients with unresectable advanced gastric cancer: a retrospective study
Ryuya Yamamoto, Yoko M. Nakao, Satomi Yoshida, Koji Kawakami
International Journal of Clinical Oncology.2026; 31(4): 666. CrossRef
Anlotinib plus toripalimab as a first-line treatment in patients with advanced gastric cancer and performance status 2: the phase II APICAL-GC trial
Ke Liu, Bao-Dong Qin, Shi-Qi Chen, Xue Zhong, Xiao-Peng Duan, Ying Wu, Zhan Wang, Yan Ling, Li Sun, Chen-Yang Ye, Dong-Min Shi, Ning Gao, Xiao-Dong Jiao, Yuan-Sheng Zang
Nature Communications.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Systemic therapy strategies for elderly patients with gastric cancer
Yukiya Narita, Kei Muro
Therapeutic Advances in Medical Oncology.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Enhancing Anticancer Treatment Efficacy With Lycopene: A Comprehensive Review of Clinical and Preclinical Evidence
Ravichandran Vishwa, Bethsebie Lalduhsaki Sailo, Bandari BharathwajChetty, Mangala Hegde, Mohammed S. Alqahtani, Mohamed Abbas, Kwang Seok Ahn, Ajaikumar B. Kunnumakkara
Journal of Biochemical and Molecular Toxicology.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
A prognostic nomogram to predict the cancer-specific survival of patients with initially diagnosed metastatic gastric cancer: a validation study in a Chinese cohort
Ziming Zhao, Erxun Dai, Bao Jin, Ping Deng, Zulihaer Salehebieke, Bin Han, Rongfan Wu, Zhaowu Yu, Jun Ren
Clinical and Translational Oncology.2024; 27(1): 135. CrossRef

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Hematologic malignancy

Current Treatment Patterns and the Role of Upfront Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation in Patients with Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma: A Korean Nationwide, Multicenter Prospective Registry Study (CISL 1404): Hyungwoo Cho, Dok Hyun Yoon, Dong-Yeop Shin, Youngil Koh, Sung-Soo Yoon, Seok Jin Kim, Young Rok Do, Gyeong-Won Lee, Jae-Yong Kwak, Yong Park, Min Kyoung Kim, Hye Jin Kang, Jun Ho Yi, Kwai Han Yoo, Won Sik Lee, Byeong Bae Park, Jae Cheol Jo, Hyeon-Seok Eom, Hyo Jung Kim, Seong Hyun Jeong, Young-Woong Won, Byeong Seok Sohn, Ji-Hyun Kwon, Cheolwon Suh, Won Seog Kim; Cancer Res Treat. 2023;55(2):684-692. Published online January 2, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4143/crt.2022.1434

Abstract PDF Supplementary Material PubReader ePub

Purpose
We conducted a nationwide, multicenter, prospective registry study for newly diagnosed patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) to better define the clinical characteristics, treatment patterns, survival outcomes, and the role of upfront autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in these patients.
Materials and Methods
Patients with PTCL receiving chemotherapy with curative intent were registered and prospectively monitored. All patients were pathologically diagnosed with PTCL.
Results
A total of 191 patients with PTCL were enrolled in this prospective registry study. PTCL, not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS) was the most common pathologic subtype (n=80, 41.9%), followed by angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) (n=60, 31.4%). With a median follow-up duration of 3.9 years, the 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 39.5% and 60.4%, respectively. The role of upfront ASCT was evaluated in patients who were considered transplant-eligible (n=59). ASCT was performed as an upfront consolidative treatment in 32 (54.2%) of these patients. There were no significant differences in PFS and OS between the ASCT and non-ASCT groups for all patients (n=59) and for patients with PTCL-NOS (n=26). However, in patients with AITL, the ASCT group was associated with significantly better PFS than the non-ASCT group, although there was no significant difference in OS.
Conclusion
The current study demonstrated that the survival outcomes with the current treatment options remain poor for patients with PTCL-NOS. Upfront ASCT may provide a survival benefit for patients with AITL, but not PTCL-NOS.

Citations

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Epigenetic landscape of angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma: From molecular pathogenesis to precision therapeutics
Ang Li, Hao Hu, Xuefei Liu, Na Xiao, Feizhen Wu, Miaoxia He
Genes & Diseases.2026; : 102064. CrossRef
Risk Factors of Disseminated Tumor Cells in the Bone Marrow of Patients With Angioimmunoblastic T‐Cell Lymphoma and Their Impact on Prognosis
Dongyao Yan, Xueyan Cao, Xiaoqian Wang, Baohong Yue
International Journal of Laboratory Hematology.2026;[Epub] CrossRef
Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma: a concise overview encompassing the pathogenetic, pathological, clinical, therapeutical characteristics, and recent advances
Yan Feng, Yaxian Ma, Tongjuan Li, Min Liu, Zetong Hong, Qing Yin, Miao Zheng
Clinical and Experimental Medicine.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Nodal peripheral T‐cell lymphoma in Finland between 2007 and 2019: Incidence, late morbidity and survival
Anu Partanen, Aino Rönkä, Anna Anttalainen, Liisa Ukkola‐Vuoti, Iiro Toppila, Hanne Kuitunen, Tatu Miettinen, Outi Kuittinen
British Journal of Haematology.2025; 207(3): 851. CrossRef
Successful Treatment, with Chemotherapy and Intravenous Administration of Ascorbic Acid, of a Patient with Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma, Not Otherwise Specified
Chiaki Tokoro, Atsushi Tashiro, Kenji Ina, Yoshiteru Tanaka, Hiroyuki Kobayakawa, Takashi Yoshida, Satoshi Kayukawa
Journal of Cancer Research Updates.2024; 13: 1. CrossRef
Role of upfront autologous transplant for peripheral T-cell lymphoma patients achieving a complete remission with first-line therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis
L. Girard, Y. J. Koh, L. P. Koh, Y. L. Chee, H. L. Chan, J. Lee, S. de Mel, L. M. Poon, M. Samuel
Bone Marrow Transplantation.2024; 59(6): 838. CrossRef
Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma and correlated neoplasms with T-cell follicular helper phenotype: from molecular mechanisms to therapeutic advances
Luís Alberto de Pádua Covas Lage, Hebert Fabricio Culler, Cadiele Oliana Reichert, Sheila Aparecida Coelho da Siqueira, Juliana Pereira
Frontiers in Oncology.2023;[Epub] CrossRef
Advances in the pathogenesis and therapeutic strategies of angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma
Qingyang Zhang, Le Yin, Qinqiao Lai, Yan Zhao, Hongling Peng
Clinical and Experimental Medicine.2023; 23(8): 4219. CrossRef

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Outcomes in Refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: Results from Two Prospective Korean Cohorts: Jun Ho Yi, Seong Hyun Jeong, Seok Jin Kim, Dok Hyun Yoon, Hye Jin Kang, Youngil Koh, Jin Seok Kim, Won-Sik Lee, Deok-Hwan Yang, Young Rok Do, Min Kyoung Kim, Kwai Han Yoo, Yoon Seok Choi, Whan Jung Yun, Yong Park, Jae-Cheol Jo, Hyeon-Seok Eom, Jae-Yong Kwak, Ho-Jin Shin, Byeong Bae Park, Seong Yoon Yi, Ji-Hyun Kwon, Sung Yong Oh, Hyo Jung Kim, Byeong Seok Sohn, Jong Ho Won, Dae-Sik Hong, Ho-Sup Lee, Gyeong-Won Lee, Cheolwon Suh, Won Seog Kim; Cancer Res Treat. 2023;55(1):325-333. Published online April 22, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4143/crt.2022.008

Abstract PDF PubReader ePub

Purpose
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common hematologic malignancy worldwide. Although substantial improvement has been achieved by the frontline rituximab-based chemoimmunotherapy, up to 40%-50% of patients will eventually have relapsed or refractory disease, whose prognosis is extremely dismal.
Materials and Methods
We have carried out two prospective cohort studies that include over 1,500 DLBCL patients treated with rituximab plus CHOP (#NCT01202448 and #NCT02474550). In the current report, we describe the outcomes of refractory DLBCL patients. Patients were defined to have refractory DLBCL if they met one of the followings, not achieving at least partial response after 4 or more cycles of R-CHOP; not achieving at least partial response after 2 or more cycles of salvage therapy; progressive disease within 12 months after autologous stem cell transplantation.
Results
Among 1,581 patients, a total of 260 patients met the criteria for the refractory disease after a median time to progression of 9.1 months. The objective response rate of salvage treatment was 26.4%, and the complete response rate was 9.6%. The median overall survival (OS) was 7.5 months (95% confidence interval, 6.4 to 8.6), and the 2-year survival rate was 22.1%±2.8%. The median OS for each refractory category was not significantly different (p=0.529).
Conclusion
In line with the previous studies, the outcomes of refractory DLBCL patients were extremely poor, which necessitates novel approaches for this population.

Citations

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Real-world clinical outcomes of tisagenlecleucel in relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: a single-center retrospective study
Gi-June Min, Tong Yoon Kim, Young-Woo Jeon, Sung Soo Park, Silvia Park, Jae-Ho Yoon, Sung-Eun Lee, Byung Sik Cho, Yoo-Jin Kim, Ki-Seong Eom, Hee-Je Kim, Chang-Ki Min, Seok-Goo Cho
Frontiers in Oncology.2026;[Epub] CrossRef
PI3Kδ inhibitor linperlisib combined with gemcitabine and oxaliplatin for relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: a multicenter, single-arm phase Ib/II trial
Peng Sun, Hong Cen, Haiyan Yang, Rui Huang, Zhen Cai, Xuekui Gu, Hanying Bao, Zusheng Xu, Zuhong Xu, Zhi-Ming Li
Cancer Cell International.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Improving access to chimeric antigen receptor T-cells for refractory or relapsing diffuse large B cell lymphoma therapy in Asia
Ya Hwee Tan, Dok Hyun Yoon, Andrew J. Davies, Christian Buske, Yang Liang Boo, Nagavalli Somasundaram, Francesca Lim, Shin Yeu Ong, Anand Jeyasekharan, Koji Izutsu, Won Seog Kim, Jason Yongsheng Chan
Discover Oncology.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Clinical outcomes of tisagenlecleucel in relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: insights from a single-center study
Sang Eun Yoon, Junhun Cho, Duck Cho, Eun-Sook Kang, Seok Jin Kim, Won Seog Kim
International Journal of Hematology.2025; 122(4): 533. CrossRef
Recent advances in cellular immunotherapy for lymphoid malignancies
Haerim Chung, Hyunsoo Cho
Blood Research.2023; 58(4): 166. CrossRef
Sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor, a new therapeutic direction in different diseases
Hongyu Chen, Junmin Wang, Caiyun Zhang, Peilun Ding, Shuxia Tian, Junming Chen, Guang Ji, Tao Wu
Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy.2022; 153: 113341. CrossRef

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Pegfilgrastim Prophylaxis Is Effective in the Prevention of Febrile Neutropenia and Reduces Mortality in Patients Aged ≥ 75 Years with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Treated with R-CHOP: A Prospective Cohort Study: Seong Hyun Jeong, Seok Jin Kim, Dok Hyun Yoon, Yong Park, Hye Jin Kang, Youngil Koh, Gyeong-Won Lee, Won-Sik Lee, Deok-Hwan Yang, Young Rok Do, Min Kyoung Kim, Kwai Han Yoo, Yoon Seok Choi, Hwan Jung Yun, Jun Ho Yi, Jae-Cheol Jo, Hyeon-Seok Eom, Jae-Yong Kwak, Ho-Jin Shin, Byeong Bae Park, Shin Young Hyun, Seong Yoon Yi, Ji-Hyun Kwon, Sung Yong Oh, Hyo Jung Kim, Byeong Seok Sohn, Jong Ho Won, Se-Hyung Kim, Ho-Sup Lee, Cheolwon Suh, Won Seog Kim; Cancer Res Treat. 2022;54(4):1268-1277. Published online December 30, 2021; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4143/crt.2021.1168

Abstract PDF Supplementary Material PubReader ePub

Purpose
Febrile neutropenia (FN) can cause suboptimal treatment and treatment-related mortality (TRM) in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients treated with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone (R-CHOP).
Materials and methods
We conducted a prospective cohort study to evaluate the effectiveness of pegfilgrastim prophylaxis in DLBCL patients receiving R-CHOP, and we compared them with the PROCESS cohort (n=485).
Results
Since January 2015, 986 patients with DLBCL were enrolled. Pegfilgrastim was administered at least once in 930 patients (94.3%), covering 90.3% of all cycles. FN developed in 137 patients (13.9%) in this cohort (23.7% in the PROCESS cohort, p<0.001), and 4.2% of all cycles (10.2% in the PROCESS cohort, p<0.001). Dose delay was less common (≥3 days: 18.1% vs. 23.7%, p=0.015; ≥5 days: 12.0% vs. 18.3%, p=0.023) in this cohort than in the PROCESS cohort. The incidence of TRM (3.2% vs. 5.6%, p=0.047) and infection-related death (1.8% vs. 4.5%, p=0.004) was lower in this cohort than in the PROCESS cohort. The 4-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) rates of the two cohorts were not different (OS: 73.0% vs. 71.9%, p=0.545; PFS: 69.5% vs. 68.8%, p=0.616). However, in patients aged ≥75 years, the 4-year OS and PFS rates were higher in this cohort than in the PROCESS cohort (OS: 49.6% vs. 33.7%, p=0.032; PFS: 44.2% vs. 30.3% p=0.047).
Conclusion
Pegfilgrastim prophylaxis is effective in the prevention of FN and infection-related death in DLBCL patients receiving R-CHOP, and it also improves OS in patients aged ≥75 years.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Efficacy of pegfilgrastim in preventing febrile neutropenia during DCF chemotherapy for esophageal cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Khaled Hemdan, Rana Mohamed El Tabakh, Ziad W Elmezayen, Amr Mahmoud Yousef, Ahmed Hussein, Ali M Elghareab, Mazen Momtaz Shehata, Alaa Abdelaziz Ellethey, Ahmed Oun
Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice.2026;[Epub] CrossRef
Mecapegfilgrastim for Prophylaxis of Immunochemotherapy‐Induced Neutropenia in Patients With Diffuse Large B‐Cell Lymphoma: A Multicenter Pilot Trial
Jie Wang, He Li, Qiaochu Lin, Yong Guo, Hongbing Ma, Bing Xiang, Chenlu Yang, Kai Shen, Chunlan Zhang, Kun Yang, Chunrong Ma, Hong Zhai, Jin Wei, Yan Zuo, Jie Zhou, Ting Niu
Cancer Medicine.2026;[Epub] CrossRef
Sarcopenia attenuates the efficacy of PEGylated granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in preventing febrile neutropenia
Se-Il Go, Eun-Jeong Jeong, Woo Je Lee, Sungwoo Park, Mi Jung Park, Gyeong-Won Lee
Supportive Care in Cancer.2025;[Epub] CrossRef

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