Intracerebral immunotherapy for brain tumors.

person Guido Carillio Pugliese-Ciaccio Hospital, Catanzaro, Italy info_outline Guido Carillio, Luigi Santaguida, Eugenio Donato Di Paola, Anna Maria Lavecchia, Virginia Vescio, Alfonso Iannello, Rosa Molè, Maria Gabriella Serrao, Rosanna Mirabelli, Giuseppe Mauro, Stefano Molica

Authors person Guido Carillio Pugliese-Ciaccio Hospital, Catanzaro, Italy info_outline Guido Carillio, Luigi Santaguida, Eugenio Donato Di Paola, Anna Maria Lavecchia, Virginia Vescio, Alfonso Iannello, Rosa Molè, Maria Gabriella Serrao, Rosanna Mirabelli, Giuseppe Mauro, Stefano Molica Organizations Pugliese-Ciaccio Hospital, Catanzaro, Italy, University Magna Graecia, Catanzaro, Italy Abstract Disclosures Research Funding Other Background: Immunotherapy is a promising approach for the treatment of brain tumors, but available data are still inconclusive. The main drawback is represented by transport across the blood–brain barrier of high molecular weight drugs. Convection-enhanced delivery (CED) has been designed to overcome some difficulties. We wondered whether a CED strategy based on the use of novel immune checkpoint inhibitors could be effective. Methods: Frameless biopsy by fluorescein tracer and neuronavigation-assisted system, followed by an injection of nivolumab 40mg/4mL into the brain lesion, were offered to patients with: a) high grade gliomas (HGG) inoperable or progressed during or after standard treatment (i.e. surgery and radio-chemotherapy); b) HGG at first diagnosis or after disease progression treated with radical surgery (nivolumab delivered in the surgical cavity after tumor removal); c) other brain tumors or solitary metastases judged suitable for surgical procedure. PD-L1 expression was assessed in all patients, but it was not a strict criterion for accrual. Standard therapy, usually based on chemotherapy, radiotherapy or both, was sequentially administered to patients able to tolerate such an approach. End-points were safety, response rate, disease control, predictive value of PD-L1 expression. This is a non-sponsored monocentric, real life, basket trial approved by Ethical Committee (EudraCT number: 2018-001560-33). Results: Since August 2018, 17 patients with brain tumors (16 HGG and 1 heavily pretreated medulloblastoma) and 5 patients with brain metastasis (of lung and gastrointestinal cancers) were enrolled. Median age was 63 years (range 26-83). After a median follow up of three months (range 1-6), all patients are alive and in good clinical conditions. No signs of neurologic toxicity due to intracerebral nivolumab were observed. Brain MRI performed at 4 to 12 weeks after nivolumab CED revealed findings suggesting a perivascular lymphocyte infiltration. Correlation between PD-L1 expression and treatment efficacy will be evaluated over time. Conclusions: Intracerebral nivolumab appears to be a feasible and safe option for patients with HGG and brain metastases at the dose investigated in the study. Long-term follow up could contribute to well understand the role of this strategy. Clinical trial information: 2018-001560-33.