Bristol Myers Squibb announced results of an analysis from the three-arm phase III CheckMate-8HW trial evaluating Opdivo (nivolumab) plus Yervoy (ipilimumab) versus Opdivo monotherapy across all lines of therapy, including first-line, for the treatment of microsatellite instability-high/mismatch repair-deficient metastatic colorectal cancer. At a median follow-up of 47 months, Opdivo plus Yervoy demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in the dual-primary endpoint of progression-free survival as assessed by Blinded Independent Central Review versus Opdivo monotherapy (HR 0.62; 95% CI 0.48–0.81; P = 0.0003).
The American Cancer Society’s recent report on the increasing incidence rates of colorectal cancer in young adults once again rang an alarm bell for adults over 45 to get checked, especially if they are having symptoms. But as an oncologist with more than 40 years of experience, I also believe that this should be a clarion call to scientists and researchers, and for regulators at the FDA.
