Nivolumab+ipilimumab superior to monotherapy for melanoma brain metastases

Prof. Georgina Long (Melanoma Institute Australia, Sydney, Australia) reported that melanoma patients with brain metastases receiving the combination therapy of ipilimumab plus nivolumab had the best intracranial response and also better survival rates [1].

Prof. Long's data were from an independent, investigator-driven ABC (Anti-PD-1 Brain Collaboration) trial, which compared the combination of ipilimumab and nivolumab with nivolumab alone in melanoma patients with brain metastases. The ABC trialists from Australia and New Zealand enrolled 60 patients who received no treatment for asymptomatic brain metastases to receive the combination of ipilimumab and nivolumab (n=35) or nivolumab alone (n=25).

Rates of complete (CR) and partial (PR) responses were also higher for patients receiving the combination. CR and PR were 26% and 26%, respectively, for patients who received the combination compared with 16% and 4%, respectively for patients who received nivolumab.

Best extracranial responses were also higher for patients receiving the combination (57% vs 29% for nivolumab alone). Three-year intracranial PFS was 43% for patients on the combination and 15% for patients on nivolumab alone. Three-year OS was 49% for patients receiving the combination and 42% for patients receiving nivolumab alone.

Prof. Long reported that there were no unexpected toxicities and that the quality of life was maintained across the study groups.

1. Long GV et al. ESMO Congress 2019. Abstract 1311O.

Posted on 26 November, 201918 March, 2021