BMS Opdivo-Yervoy combo fails in kidney cancer trial

The company made the announcement last week, saying that the data review panel found that the drug wasn’t much better than the placebo at preventing relapse or death in patients

Aug. 1, 2022

Bristol Myers Squibb's kidney cancer drug yielded disappointing trial results when used as a post-surgery combination treatment for patients with localized renal cell carcinoma.

A data review panel found that the combination of Opdivo (nivolumab) plus Yervoy (ipilimumab) wasn’t much better than the placebo at preventing relapse or death in patients.

While the phase 3 CheckMate -914 trial did not meet its primary endpoints, the combo did have a safety profile that was consistent with previous studies of the drugs used on solid tumors.

Despite the recent flop, Opdivo was the first PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor to receive regulatory approval and has many indications approved for other cancers by itself, and in combination with Yervoy.

Part B of the CheckMate -91 trial tests Opdivo alone compared to placebo, and is still ongoing.