Opdivo® (nivolumab) in combination with CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib) has shown continued benefits in the first-line treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) versus sunitinib, including a 23% reduction in the risk of death. Bristol Myers Squibb and Exelixis, Inc. have announced four-year follow-up results from the CheckMate -9ER trial, which demonstrated superior progression-free survival (PFS) and objective response rates (ORR), as well as improved health-related quality of life with the Opdivo plus CABOMETYX combination.
These long-term results will be presented at the ASCO 2024 Genitourinary Cancers Symposium. The trial’s updated findings support the important role of the immunotherapy and tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) combination in treating RCC, which is often difficult to manage, especially for those with advanced disease or metastasis.
At a median follow-up of 55.6 months, all patients treated with Opdivo plus CABOMETYX showed continued efficacy across multiple endpoints. In patient subgroups, durable and clinically meaningful benefits were observed across various risk groups, including those with favorable and intermediate- to poor-risk classifications.
Dana Walker, M.D., M.S.C.E., Vice President at Bristol Myers Squibb, highlighted Opdivo and CABOMETYX as a new standard of care that has the potential to help patients with advanced RCC live longer, irrespective of risk classification. This further emphasizes the importance of Opdivo-based combinations in genitourinary cancer treatment.
The positive data from the CheckMate -9ER trial offers hope for patients with previously untreated advanced or metastatic RCC, marking a significant advancement in treatment options and supporting ongoing research efforts to enhance outcomes for this patient population.
Jon Napitupulu is Director of Media Relations at The Clinical Trial Vanguard. Jon, a computer data scientist, focuses on the latest clinical trial industry news and trends.
