Editor's Note: At the 2024 European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress, Dr. Myriam Chalabi from Amsterdam, Netherlands, unveiled the latest results from the NICHE-2 study, showing a groundbreaking three-year disease-free survival (DFS) rate of 100% in patients with locally advanced mismatch repair-deficient (dMMR) colon cancer undergoing neoadjuvant immunotherapy. This large-scale study provides critical evidence supporting neoadjuvant immunotherapy, overcoming the limitations of the NICHE-1 study, which had a smaller sample size. In this article, we summarize the key findings of NICHE-2 and discuss the latest results from NICHE-3, presenting the latest advancements in this field.

NICHE-2 Study: 100% Three-Year Disease-Free Survival Achieved

LBA24 – Neoadjuvant immunotherapy in locally advanced MMR-deficient colon cancer: 3-year disease-free survival from NICHE-2

NICHE-3 Study: High Response Rates with New Drug Combinations

503O – Neoadjuvant nivolumab (nivo) plus relatlimab (rela) in MMR-deficient colon cancer: Results of the NICHE-3 study

The success of the NICHE-2 and NICHE-3 studies further demonstrates the significant potential of neoadjuvant immunotherapy in locally advanced dMMR colon cancer. The NICHE-2 study revealed outstanding efficacy and safety in patients, confirming the clinical potential of neoadjuvant immunotherapy for this group. Meanwhile, the NICHE-3 study showcased high pathological response rates with an innovative treatment regimen, reinforcing the value of neoadjuvant immunotherapy in this area.

Both studies provide strong data supporting efficacy and safety, offering valuable insights for future research. Notably, the NICHE-3 study introduced relatlimab, the first FDA-approved LAG-3 antibody, marking a further advancement in immunotherapy. Additionally, the NICHE-2 study’s detailed follow-up data and dynamic ctDNA monitoring results provide a robust foundation for the continued optimization of neoadjuvant immunotherapy.

Future studies may focus on refining neoadjuvant immunotherapy strategies to help more patients achieve long-term disease-free survival while validating its broader applicability in larger sample sizes and across different subgroups. These findings are expected to propel neoadjuvant immunotherapy towards becoming the new standard for treating locally advanced dMMR colon cancer.