Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Tislelizumab in First-Line Treatment of Gastric/Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer

Strategic Insights -

Researchers from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center conducted a systematic review and network meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tislelizumab in combination with chemotherapy in the first-line treatment of gastric/gastroesophageal junction cancer. The study aimed to compare the outcomes of tislelizumab with other approved first-line immunotherapy regimens, including nivolumab and pembrolizumab.

Key Takeaways:

  • The network meta-analysis included 5 randomized controlled trials investigating first-line treatments in adult patients with unresectable, locally advanced, or metastatic human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative gastric/gastroesophageal junction cancer.
  • Tislelizumab + chemotherapy demonstrated similar efficacy compared with nivolumab + chemotherapy and pembrolizumab + chemotherapy for both overall survival and progression-free survival.
  • Tislelizumab + chemotherapy was associated with significantly lower odds of grade 3 treatment-related adverse events compared with nivolumab + chemotherapy, and there were no statistically significant differences between tislelizumab + chemotherapy compared with pembrolizumab + chemotherapy.
  • The study concluded that tislelizumab + chemotherapy is similarly efficacious to pembrolizumab + chemotherapy and nivolumab + chemotherapy in the first-line treatment of gastric/gastroesophageal junction cancer.

Statistics:

  • 5 randomized controlled trials were included in the network meta-analysis.
  • 2825 patients were analyzed in the intent-to-treat populations for tislelizumab + chemotherapy and placebo + chemotherapy from RATIONALE-305.
  • The network meta-analysis base case used the intent-to-treat populations for tislelizumab + chemotherapy and placebo + chemotherapy from RATIONALE-305.
  • Tislelizumab + chemotherapy demonstrated a hazard ratio of 0.87 (95% CI: 0.72-1.05) for overall survival compared with nivolumab + chemotherapy.

Sources:

  • Gastric Cancer, 2025.
  • Springer, One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, Ny, United States.
  • NewsRx. Researchers from University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Describe Findings in Cancer (Comparative efficacy and safety of tislelizumab and other programmed cell death protein 1 inhibitors in first-line treatment of advanced ...). Immunotherapy Weekly. October 15, 2025; p 2825.