Eighteen months survival data for Opdivo (nivolumab) in squamous NSCLC- BMS

BMS announced longer term survival and safety data from CheckMate-017 and CheckMate-063, two pivotal trials evaluating Opdivo (nivolumab) in previously treated squamous (SQ) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), showing sustained survival benefit across these studies. In both trials, Opdivo showed an estimated 18 month overall survival (OS) rate of 27% (CheckMate -063) to 28% (CheckMate -017); survival benefit was independent of PD-L1 expression. The safety profile of Opdivo is consistent with previously-reported trials, and in CheckMate -017, is also favorable compared to docetaxel. These data were presented at the 16th World Conference on Lung Cancer (Abstract #736, CheckMate -017 and #828, CheckMate -063).

Previously-reported one year results from CheckMate -017 showed a significantly superior OS rate of 42% versus 24% for docetaxel. In CheckMate -063, the estimated one-year survival rate was 39%.

Comment: This represents the first major improvement in squamous NSCLC for more than a decade. Opdivo is now the standard of care for previously treated squamous NSCLC.