Gastric Cancer Study Reveals Early Biomarkers for Response and Prognosis with Nivolumab Plus Chemotherapy

Strategic Insights -

Researchers from the Catholic University of Korea have conducted a study to identify early immunological predictors of response and prognosis in patients with advanced gastric cancer (GC) treated with nivolumab plus chemotherapy. The study aimed to investigate the dynamic immune profiling of patients with GC and its association with treatment outcomes. The findings of the study suggest that early biomarkers such as granzyme B, CXCL10, and Ki-67 can predict response and progression-free survival in patients with GC.

Key Takeaways:

  • Fifty patients with advanced or unresectable GC were enrolled in the study, with peripheral blood collected at baseline, week 1, and week 6.
  • Early responders exhibited significant increases in Granzyme B and CXCL10, with DGranzyme B alone and in combination with DKi-67 predicting response with high accuracy.
  • A lower week 1 neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was associated with long-term benefit.
  • Elevated week 1 CD8 T-cell proportion and greater decreases in PD1CD69Ki-67CD8 T cells were linked to improved PFS.
  • Higher baseline PD1LAG-3Ki-67CD8 T-cell levels and combined TIM-3/LAG-3 expression enhanced prognostic stratification.
  • Elevated baseline activated TEMRA cells and declines at week 6 in the same subset correlated with better outcomes.

Statistics:

  • 50 patients with advanced or unresectable GC were enrolled in the study.
  • Significant increases in Granzyme B (63.6% vs. 21.6%) and CXCL10 (42.9% vs. 13.3%) were observed in early responders.
  • A lower week 1 neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (45.6% vs. =45.6%) was linked to improved PFS (16.9 vs. 10.3 months).
  • Higher baseline PD1LAG-3Ki-67CD8 T-cell levels (>5.4% vs. =5.4%) enhanced prognostic stratification (HR: 2.84, 95% CI: 1.35-5.98).

Sources:

  • Cancers (2025;17(19):3131)
  • NewsRx. Reports Outline Gastric Cancer Study Findings from Catholic University of Korea (Dynamic Integrative Immune Profiling Reveals Early Biomarkers of Response and Prognosis in Advanced Gastric Cancer Treated with Nivolumab Plus Chemotherapy). Cancer Weekly. October 28, 2025; p 2868.
  • Mdpi, St Alban-Anlage 66, Ch-4052 Basel, Switzerland.