Dr Kohei Shitara speaks to ecancer about first-line zolbetuximab plus mFOLFOX6 and nivolumab in unresectable CLDN18.2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma.

This study evaluates a novel combination strategy for patients with metastatic gastric and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma.

The regimen combines zolbetuximab, a claudin 18.2–targeting antibody, with nivolumab and standard chemotherapy to target both tumour-specific and immune pathways.

Dr Shitara says that the study demonstrated encouraging efficacy, with response rates exceeding 60 percent and even higher activity in patients with high CLDN18.2 expression.

Median progression-free survival reached nearly 15 months overall and extended further in patients with high biomarker expression. The safety profile was manageable, with nausea and decreased appetite being the most common side effects.

These findings highlight the potential of combining targeted therapy with immunotherapy and chemotherapy, supporting ongoing phase 3 trials and offering a promising new approach for patients with biomarker-selected advanced gastric cancer.