Key Takeaways
•The Phase 3 CheckMate -816 trial demonstrated that neoadjuvant Opdivo (nivolumab) combined with chemotherapy significantly improves overall survival in patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
•This marks the first instance where a neoadjuvant-only immuno-oncology therapy has shown a statistically significant survival benefit in this patient population.
•The safety profile of the Opdivo and chemotherapy combination was consistent with previous studies, with no new safety concerns identified.
Bristol Myers Squibb has announced the final overall survival (OS) analysis from the Phase 3 CheckMate -816 trial, evaluating the efficacy of neoadjuvant Opdivo (nivolumab) in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy for adults with resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The study’s findings reveal a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in OS for patients receiving the Opdivo and chemotherapy regimen compared to those treated with chemotherapy alone.
This advancement builds upon previously reported positive outcomes for the trial’s primary endpoints: event-free survival (EFS) and pathological complete response (pCR). Notably, this is the first Phase 3 study to demonstrate that a neoadjuvant-only immuno-oncology therapy can provide a significant survival advantage in resectable NSCLC.
Dr. Dana Walker, Vice President and Global Program Lead of Late Development Oncology at Bristol Myers Squibb, emphasized the potential of the Opdivo and chemotherapy combination to offer a meaningful survival benefit for this patient group. The company plans to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the updated data and aims to present detailed findings in a future peer-reviewed publication.
Safety Profile and Future Implications
The safety assessment of the Opdivo and chemotherapy combination in the CheckMate -816 trial indicated a profile consistent with previous studies, with no new safety signals observed. This consistency reinforces the regimen’s suitability as a neoadjuvant treatment option for patients with resectable NSCLC.
The positive OS results from this trial may influence future clinical practice by supporting the integration of immuno-oncology therapies in earlier stages of lung cancer treatment. Bristol Myers Squibb’s commitment to advancing cancer care is evident through its extensive clinical development program for Opdivo, which has treated over 35,000 patients worldwide across various tumor types. The company’s ongoing research efforts continue to explore the potential of Opdivo-based therapies to improve outcomes for patients with different forms of cancer.

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