Health Canada approves Opdivo for HER2 negative gastric, gastroesophageal junction or esophageal adenocarcinoma cancers.

Unlike traditional cancer therapies that target tumours directly, Opdivo activates the Opdivo for the treatment of HER2 negative advanced or metastatic gastric cancer, gastroesophageal junction cancer or esophageal adenocarcinoma (GC/GEJC/EAC), in combination with fluoropyrimidine and platinum- containing chemotherapy. This approval was based on the results of the CheckMate -649 clinical trial, and represents a potential new standard of care for the first-line treatment of HER2 negative patients with advanced or metastatic gastric, gastroesophageal junction or esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Earlier this year, on July 2, 2021, Health Canada also approved Opdivo as an adjuvant treatment of completely resected esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer in patients who have residual pathologic disease following prior neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT). This approval was based on the results of the CheckMate -577 clinical trial and represents the possibility of extending the lives of patients with completely resected esophageal cancers and gastroesophageal junction cancers.