Jon Wigginton: Very exciting phase 3 data regarding stage 3 melanoma

Jon Wigginton, President of Research and Development at Bright Peak Therapeutics, shared on LinkedIn:

“NEJM and ASCO with very exciting randomized Phase 3 data regarding the role of neoadjuvant nivolumab and ipilimumab (2 neoadjuvant doses!) with surgery and response-directed adjuvant nivolumab versus surgery/adjuvant nivolumab in patients with stage 3 melanoma.

Event free survival rate at 12 months 83.7% in neoadjuvant arm vs 57.2% in surgery/adjuvant nivolumab.

Hazard ratio for progression, recurrence or death=0.32. Major pathologic responses in 59% of patients who received at least 1 dose of neoadjuvant immunotherapy, including 47.2% who achieved a pathologic CR.

Fantastatic news for patients, and great evidence that putting the right IO tools together the right way, even with a very short course of therapy, can mobilize the immune system in a powerful manner to deliver clinical benefit.

Also, further evidence that in combination therapy, creativity in dosing and scheduling wins the day (roughly the equivalent of 1 mg/kg of ipi and 3mg/kg nivo).

Recall that both drugs were initially approved as monotherapy at doses of 3mg/kg.

Congratulations to all involved!”

Additional information.
Source: Jon Wigginton/LinkedIn