A meta-analysis comparing responses of Asian versus non-Asian cancer patients to PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitor-based therapy

Figures & data

Figure 1. Selection process for the trials included in the meta-analysis.

Table 1. Main characteristics and results of the eligible studies.

No.	Study	Year	Title	Sample	End	Line	Phase	Tumor	Drug	Treatment	Comparator
1	CheckMate 141^Citation14	2016	NEJM	361	OS	2	3	Head & Neck	Nivolumab	ICI	Chemo
2	KEYNOTE-024^Citation15	2016	NEJM	305	OS, PFS	1	3	NSCLC	Pembrolizumab	ICI	Chemo
3	PACIFIC^Citation16	2017	NEJM	709	OS	1	3	NSCLC	Durvalumab	ICI	Placebo
4	CheckMate 227-Part 1a^Citation17	2018	NEJM	299	PFS	1	3	NSCLC	Nivolumab+Ipilimumab	ICI+ICI	Chemo
5	IMPassion130^Citation18	2018	NEJM	451	PFS	1	3	Breast	Atezolizumab	ICI+Chemo	Chemo
6	IMpower132^Citation19	2018	WCLC	578	PFS	1	3	NSCLC	Atezolizumab	ICI+Chemo	Chemo
7	JAVELIN Gastric 300^Citation20	2018	Ann Oncol	459	OS, PFS	3	3	Gastric	Avelumab	ICI	Chemo
8	JAVELIN Lung 200^Citation18	2018	Lancet Oncol	792	OS	2	3	NSCLC	Avelumab	ICI	Chemo
9	KEYNOTE-061^Citation21	2018	Lancet Oncol	592	OS	2	3	Gastric	Pembrolizumab	ICI	Chemo
10	KEYNOTE-407^Citation22	2018	NEJM	559	OS, PFS	1	3	NSCLC	Pembrolizumab	ICI+Chemo	Chemo
11	CASPIAN^Citation23	2019	Lancet Oncol	268	OS	1	3	SCLC	Durvalumab	ICI+Chemo	Chemo
12	CheckMate 331^Citation24	2019	ESMO-IO	547	OS	2	3	SCLC	Nivolumab	ICI	Chemo
13	CheckMate 459^Citation25	2019	ESMO	743	OS	1	3	HCC	Nivolumab	ICI	VEGFR TKI
14	IMpower110-TC3/IC3^Citation26	2019	ESMO-Asia	204	OS	1	3	NSCLC	Atezolizumab	ICI	Chemo
15	IMpower131-B vs C^Citation27	2019	WCLC	683	OS	1	3	NSCLC	Atezolizumab	ICI+Chemo	Chemo
16	KEYNOTE-042^Citation28	2019	ELCC	1274	OS	1	3	NSCLC	Pembrolizumab	ICI	Chemo
17	KEYNOTE-062^Citation29	2019	ASCO	763	OS	1	3	Gastric	Pembrolizumab	ICI	Chemo
18	KEYNOTE-181^Citation30	2019	ASCO-GI	628	OS	2	3	Esophageal	Pembrolizumab	ICI	Chemo
19	JAVELIN Gastric 100^Citation31	2020	ASCO-GI	805	OS	2	3	Gastric	Avelumab	ICI	Chemo/Placebo

Summary table of studies included in the meta-analysis. Abbreviations: Chemo, chemotherapy; ICI, immune checkpoint inhibitor; TKI, tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

Figure 2. Hazard ratios of OS in patients receiving PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor-based therapy versus control in the overall population, Asian and non-Asian patients.

Each study is shown by the name of the study name and year of publication. For each trial the position of the square denoted the value of HR, horizontal lines represent 95% CI, and diamond plot represents overall results of the included trials. Plots are arranged as follows: (a) HR of OS in the entire population; (b) HR of OS in Asian patients; (c) HR of OS in non-Asian patients.

Figure 3. Hazard ratios of PFS in patients receiving PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor-based therapy versus control in the overall population, Asian and non-Asian patients.

Each study is shown by the name of the study name and year of publication. For each trial the position of the square denoted the value of HR, horizontal lines represent 95% CI, and diamond plot represents overall results of the included trials. Plots are arranged as follows: (a) HR of PFS in the entire population; (b) HR of PFS in Asian patients; (c) HR of PFS in non-Asian patients.

Figure 4. Ratio of OS HR (a) and PFS HR (b) between Asian and non-Asian cancer patients. Ratio of OS HR subgroup analysis of tumor type (c) and PD-1/PD-L1 drug (d).

Figure 5. Sensitivity analysis. (a) Sensitivity analysis of HR ratios of OS; (b) Sensitivity analysis of HR ratio of PFS.

Figure 6. Publication bias. (a) Begg’s funnel plot of HR ratios of OS; (b) Begg’s funnel plot of HR ratio of PFS.

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Data availability statement

No primary data.