Nivolumab/Ipilimumab Combination Data Promising in MSI-H/dMMR mCRC

Heinz-Josef Lenz, MD, associate director for adult oncology and co-leader of the Gastrointestinal Cancers Program, USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, discusses the significance of the latest updates in the CheckMate 142 trial exploring an immunotherapy treatment combination in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer whose tumors are microsatellite instability—high or mismatch repair deficient.

The safety and efficacy of nivolumab (Opdivo) in combination with low-dose ipilimumab (Yervoy) in this patient population was analyzed in this phase II trial, presented at the 2019 ASCO Annual Meeting. Previous results showed an overall response rate (ORR) of 60%, while progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and duration of response (DOR) had not yet been reached.

Interestingly, Lenz says that the ORR increased; after 19.9 months of follow-up, the ORR increased to 64%. The 1-year OS rate also increased, while the PFS and DOR had not been reached. This suggests that the data are not mature enough for survival. The PFS will be longer than at least 14 or 15 months, which will make this combination superior to any other treatment option in this space, according to Lenz.