Hikaru Ozeki

Dr. Hikaru Ozeki


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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3 July 2025 in Cancers
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
YSYoshifumi Shimada
Yoshifumi Shimada
MNMae Nakano
Mae Nakano
AMAkio Matsumoto
Akio Matsumoto
HOHikaru Ozeki
Hikaru Ozeki
KAKaoru Abe
Kaoru Abe
TWToshifumi Wakai
Toshifumi Wakai
Background/Objectives: Pembrolizumab demonstrates a high response rate in patients with mismatch repair-deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), with responses often sustained even after treatment cessation. However, the pathological complete response (pCR) rate in clinically responding cases remains unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the radiological and pathological responses in patients with dMMR mCRC who responded to pembrolizumab. Methods: This retrospective study included 27 patients with dMMR mCRC treated with pembrolizumab. The radiological response was assessed using RECIST version 1.1 criteria. The pathological response was evaluated in patients who underwent metastasectomy, with pCR defined as the absence of residual cancer cells. Results: The median progression-free survival (PFS) of the cohort was 19 months. Among the 27 patients, 3 achieved clinical complete response (cCR), and 10 had clinical partial response (cPR), resulting in a response rate of 48%. All three patients with cCR maintained their responses without metastasectomy (2-year PFS: 100%). Among patients with cPR, eight maintained their responses, while two experienced progression (2-year PFS: 75%). Five patients with cPR underwent curative-intent metastasectomy, and four of them (80%) achieved pCR. Thus, at least 40% of patients with cPR in this cohort had no residual cancer histologically. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate the significant discordance between the radiological and pathological responses to pembrolizumab in dMMR mCRC patients, with 80% of those with cPR achieving pCR upon metastasectomy. These observations highlight the need for improved response assessment methods for precision immunotherapy.