Bristol Myers' Lead Cancer Immunotherapy Shows Progression Free Survival Versus Chemo In Certain Type Of Colorectal Cancer

Saturday, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company BMY released results from the Phase 3 CheckMate -8HW trial evaluating Opdivo (nivolumab) plus Yervoy (ipilimumab) compared to the investigator’s choice of chemotherapy (mFOLFOX-6 or FOLFIRI with or without bevacizumab or cetuximab) as a first-line treatment for microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). 

The dual immunotherapy combination of Opdivo and Yervoy demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in the primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS) as assessed by Blinded Independent Central Review (BICR), with a reduction in the risk of disease progression or death by 79% compared to chemotherapy.

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These late-breaking data were featured at the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium.

Improvement in PFS was noted beginning at approximately three months and was sustained throughout. 

Median PFS was not yet reached in the Opdivo plus Yervoy arm vs. 5.9 months in the chemotherapy arm. 

Consistent PFS benefit was observed across all pre-specified subgroups, including patients with KRAS or NRAS mutations and those with baseline liver, lung, or peritoneal metastases.

The safety profile for the combination of Opdivo plus Yervoy remained consistent with previously reported data and was manageable with established protocols, with no new safety signals identified. 

Grade 3/4 treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) occurred in 23% of patients in the Opdivo plus Yervoy arm and 48% of patients in the chemotherapy arm.

Any grade TRAE-related discontinuation was 17% in the Opdivo plus Yervoy arm and 32% in the chemotherapy arm.

The company says Opdivo plus Yervoy is the first dual immunotherapy regimen to demonstrate significant efficacy benefit compared to chemotherapy as a first-line treatment in MSI-H/dMMR mCRC.

CheckMate -8HW is ongoing to assess the second dual primary endpoint of PFS in patients receiving Opdivo plus Yervoy compared to Opdivo alone across all lines of therapy and secondary endpoints, including overall survival (OS).

In 2022, Opdivo generated total sales of $8.2 billion, the second largest for the company after Eliquis, which generated sales of $11.8 billion.

Price Action: BMY shares closed at $50.11 on Friday.

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