Opdivo Enhances the Overall Survival of Patients with Esophageal Cancer

Release Date: 07-Oct-2019



According to the Phase III trial data of Opdivo (Nivolumab), it is able to improve the overall survival (OS) of patients in the case of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The findings of the study were published in the Lancet Oncology. The phase III trial of Opdivo is known as Attraction III and it completely shows that the Opdivo is superior to the chemotherapeutics.  

 

The Attraction III study involved about 419-patient and it was based on the comparision of opdivo with Chemotherapy by observing the OS. During the study, it was observed that the overall survival (OS) improved from 8.4 months with chemotherapy to 10.9 months with nivolumab (Opdivo) alone. The benefits were observed across all subgroups, which are regardless of the tumor PD-L1 expression. The results of the trial were reported by Byoung Chul Cho, MD, of Yonsei Cancer Center in Seoul.

 

During the presidential symposium at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) congress, Cho said that Nivolumab is the first immune checkpoint inhibitor to demonstrate a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in overall survival versus chemotherapy in previously treated advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Nivolumab represents a potential new standard second-line treatment option.

 

According to the Elizabeth Smyth, MD, of Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in England, and Florian Lordick, MD, of University Cancer Center in Leipzig, Germany, These findings are important for patients, especially because of the longer duration of treatment associated with effective nivolumab therapy. As a result of these landmark findings, nivolumab might be adopted as a standard second-line treatment option for patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, who have had few options available so far.

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