Bristol Myers Squibb announced results from the Phase 3 CheckMate -8HW trial evaluating Opdivo (nivolumab) plus Yervoy (ipilimumab) compared to investigator?s choice of chemotherapy (mFOLFOX-6 or FOLFIRI with or without bevacizumab or cetuximab) as a first-line treatment for patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). The dual immunotherapy combination of Opdivo and Yervoy demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in the primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS) as assessed by Blinded Independent Central Review (BICR), with a reduction in the risk of disease progression or death by 79% (Hazard Ratio [HR]: 0.21; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.14-0.32; p<0.0001) compared to chemotherapy in patients with centrally confirmed MSI-H/dMMR mCRC. These late-breaking data (Abstract #LBA768) will be featured in an oral presentation at the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium on January 20 at 9:15 a.m. Pacific Time and will be highlighted as part of the Congress?

official press program. Improvement in PFS was noted beginning at approximately three months and was sustained throughout. Median PFS was not yet reached in the Opdivo plus Yervoy arm (95% CI: 38.4-NE) vs.

5.9 months in the chemotherapy arm (95% CI: 4.4-7.8). Consistent PFS benefit was observed across all pre-specified subgroups, including patients with KRAS or NRAS mutations, and those with baseline liver, lung, or peritoneal metastases. The safety profile for the combination of Opdivo plus Yervoy remained consistent with previously reported data and was manageable with established protocols, with no new safety signals identified.

Grade 3/4 treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) occurred in 23% of patients in the Opdivo plus Yervoy arm and 48% of patients in the chemotherapy arm. Any grade TRAE-related discontinuation was 17% in the Opdivo plus Yervoy arm and 32% in the chemotherapy arm. Opdivo plus Yervoy is the first dual immunotherapy regimen to demonstrate significant efficacy benefit compared to chemotherapy as first line treatment in MSI-H/dMMR mCRC.

CheckMate -8HW is ongoing to assess the second dual primary endpoint of PFS in patients receiving Opdivo plus Yervoy compared to Opdivo alone across all lines of therapy, as well as secondary endpoints, including overall survival (OS). Bristol Myers Squibb thanks the patients and investigators involved in the CheckMate -8HW clinical trial. CheckMate -8HW (NCT04008030) is a Phase 3 randomized, open-label trial evaluating Opdivo plus Yervoy compared to Opdivo alone or investigator?s choice chemotherapy (mFOLFOX-6 or FOLFIRI with or without bevacizumab or cetuximab) in patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

Approximately 830 patients were randomized to receive either Opdivo monotherapy (Opdivo 240 mg Q2W for six doses, followed by Opdivo 480 mg Q4W), Opdivo plus Yervoy (Opdivo 240 mg plus Yervoy 1 mg/kg Q3W for four doses, followed by Opdivo 480 mg Q4W), or investigator?s choice of chemotherapy. The dual primary endpoints of the trial are progression-free survival (PFS) per blinded independent central review (BICR) for Opdivo plus Yervoy compared to investigator?s choice of chemotherapy in the first line setting and PFS per BICR for Opdivo plus Yervoy compared to Opdivo alone across all lines of therapy. The trial also includes several secondary safety and efficacy endpoints, including overall survival (OS).

The study is ongoing to assess the second dual primary endpoint of PFS in patients receiving Opdivo plus Yervoy compared to Opdivo alone across all lines of therapy, as well as secondary endpoints. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a cancer that develops in the colon or the rectum, which are part of the body?s digestive or gastrointestinal system. CRC is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the world.

In 2020, it is estimated that there were approximately 1,931,000 new cases of the disease; it is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men and women combined. Mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR) occurs when the proteins that repair mismatch errors in DNA replication are missing or non-functional, leading to microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) tumors. Approximately 5-7% of metastatic CRC patients have dMMR or MSI-H tumors; they are less likely to benefit from conventional chemotherapy and typically have a poor prognosis.

Bristol Myers Squibb is inspired by a single vision ? transforming patients? lives through science.

The goal of the company?s cancer research is to deliver medicines that offer each patient a better, healthier life and to make cure a possibility. Building on a legacy across a broad range of cancers that have changed survival expectations for many, Bristol Myers Squibb researchers are exploring new frontiers in personalized medicine and, through innovative digital platforms, are turning data into insights that sharpen their focus. Deep understanding of causal human biology, cutting-edge capabilities and differentiated research programs uniquely position the company to approach cancer from every angle.

Cancer can have a relentless grasp on many parts of a patient?s life, and Bristol Myers Squibb is committed to taking actions to address all aspects of care, from diagnosis to survivorship. As a leader in cancer care, Bristol Myers Squibb is working to empower all people with cancer to have a better future. Opdivo is a programmed death-1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibitor that is designed to uniquely harness the body?s own immune system to help restore anti-tumor immune response.

By harnessing the body?s own immune system to fight cancer, Opdivo has become an important treatment option across multiple cancers. Opdivo?s leading global development program is based on Bristol Myers Squibb?s scientific expertise in the field of Immuno-Oncology and includes a broad range of clinical trials across all phases, including Phase 3, in a variety of tumor types. To date, the Opdivo clinical development program has treated more than 35,000 patients.

The Opdivo trials have contributed to gaining a deeper understanding of the potential role of biomarkers in patient care, particularly regarding how patients may benefit from Opdivo across the continuum of PD-L1 expression.