Perioperative chemotherapy with nivolumab for HER2-negative locally advanced gastric cancer: a case series

Background Nivolumab with chemotherapy has been transformative for metastatic gastric cancer (GC). The potential of this regimen for local tumor control could be utilized for perioperative chemotherapy in locally advanced GC with bulky tumors or lymph node metastasis involving other organs. Case presentation Five patients with HER2-negative advanced GC were treated with nivolumab and oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy. All patients presented with clinical stage III or IVA GC with tumors in contact with either the pancreas or liver. Following chemotherapy, all tumors demonstrated shrinkage, allowing successful radical gastrectomies including four minimally invasive approach without postoperative complications. Four patients avoided combined resection of other organs. Conclusions Perioperative chemotherapy with nivolumab was effective for local disease control in this case series. This regimen could be a promising treatment approach for locally advanced GC; however, its survival benefits should be evaluated in clinical trials.