NICE recommends Opdivo to cut the risk of early stage skin cancer recurrence after surgery. BMS

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has approved the use of Opdivo (nivolumab) from Bristol-Myers Squibb, to cut the risk of early stage skin cancer recurrence after surgery. The Institute rejected use of the drug in this setting earlier this year on grounds that it was not cost-effective enough, but has now released draft guidelines endorsing its use, with funding via the Cancer Drugs Fund. The approval marks a change in the treatment of melanoma for patients eligible for surgery, who are currently only monitored to see if their cancer returns, which is known as the �watch and wait� approach.