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Nivolumab + Ipilimumab Provides Long-Term Survival Benefit in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

ByHolly Zink

Nivolumab + Ipilimumab Provides Long-Term Survival Benefit Nivolumab + ipilimumab continues to provide a long-term survival benefit in malignant pleural mesothelioma.

A new report shows a 3-year follow-up in the CheckMate Clinical Trial. Long-term clinical benefits remained the same for all patient groups.

Background on the Nivolumab + Ipilimumab Treatment

Two years ago, the FDA approved the combination of nivolumab + ipilimumab. It is the first-line treatment for patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.

The CHECKMATE randomized multi-part trial investigated the effectiveness. The trial showed a significant improvement in patient survival.

Today, this treatment combination improves patient survival rates over chemotherapy. Mesothelioma patients showed an improved survival using this line of treatment.

A new report from the Annals of Oncology describes updated data with at least a 3-year follow-up.

The CHECKMATE Clinical Trial Patients and Methods

The trial randomized adults with untreated, histologically-confirmed, unresectable mesothelioma. Two patient groups included nivolumab + ipilimumab, or platinum + chemotherapy.

A new report includes updated efficacy and safety outcomes. It also provides exploratory biomarker analyses.

Latest Results of the CHECKMATE Trial

With an average follow-up of 43.1 months, this treatment combination increased patient survival.

The median patient survival was 18.1 months for nivolumab + ipilimumab patients. The three-year patient survival rate in this group was 23%. The three-year progression-free survival rate was 14%. At three years, 28% of responders had an ongoing response.

The median patient survival was 14.1 months for the chemotherapy patients. The three-year patient survival rate was 15% in this group. The three-year progression-free survival rate was 1%. At three years, 0% of responders had an ongoing response.

This treatment combination showed improved survival benefits over chemotherapy.

The trial found no new safety concerns. This is despite patients being off therapy for one year. Patients who had adverse effects had a median patient survival of 25.4 months.

Long-Term Survival Benefits

With at least three years’ follow-up, this treatment combination provided long-term survival. This treatment was more effective than chemotherapy. It also provided a manageable safety profile.

Oncologist Dr. Solange Peters “confirm[s] nivolumab plus ipilimumab as a standard of care treatment.”

Nivolumab + ipilimumab supported the standard-of-care treatment for mesothelioma.

Sources:

Peters, S., Scherpereel, A., Cornelissen, R., Oulkhouir, Y., Greillier, L., Kaplan, M. A., … & Zalcman, G. (2022). First-line nivolumab plus ipilimumab versus chemotherapy in patients with unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma: 3-year outcomes from CheckMate 743. Annals of Oncology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annonc.2022.01.074

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