By Colin Kellaher


Bristol Myers Squibb on Wednesday said a late-stage study of the combination of its Opdivo and Yervoy cancer drugs met its key goal in the early treatment of certain patients with the most common form of liver cancer.

Bristol Myers said the Phase 3 study evaluating Opdivo plus Yervoy as a first-line treatment for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma who haven't received prior systemic therapy met its primary endpoint of improved overall survival compared to investigator's choice of sorafenib or lenvatinib at a pre-specified interim analysis.

The Princeton, N.J., biopharmaceutical company added that the safety profile for the combination was consistent with previously reported data, with no new safety signals identified.

Hepatocellular carcinoma, which accounts for 90% of all liver cancers, is often diagnosed in an advanced stage, where effective treatment options are limited and are usually associated with poor outcomes.

Bristol Myers said the study data shows the potential of the Opdivo/Yervoy combination to improve outcomes compared to established treatment options.


Write to Colin Kellaher at colin.kellaher@wsj.com


(END) Dow Jones Newswires

03-20-24 0745ET