Nivolumab and Relatlimab in Patients With Advanced Melanoma That Had Progressed on Anti-Programmed Death-1/Programmed

Paolo Antonio Ascierto1, Evan J Lipson2, Reinhard Dummer3

  • 1Melanoma, Cancer Immunotherapy, and Development Therapeutics Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS "Fondazione G. Pascale," Naples, Italy.

Insights

Nivolumab and relatlimab show manageable safety and durable activity in advanced melanoma patients who progressed on prior anti-PD-(L)1 therapy. This combination offers a new option for heavily pretreated patients.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Immunotherapy
  • Melanoma Research

Background:

  • Advanced melanoma remains a challenge, particularly after progression on anti-programmed death-1/programmed death ligand 1 (PD-(L)1) therapies.
  • Investigating novel combinations is crucial for improving outcomes in heavily pretreated patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the efficacy and safety of nivolumab and relatlimab in advanced melanoma patients with prior progression on anti-PD-(L)1 regimens.
  • To evaluate response rates and progression-free survival in this difficult-to-treat population.

Main Methods:

  • Phase I/IIa, open-label RELATIVITY-020 trial, part D.
  • Patients with advanced melanoma and progression on 1 (D1) or ≥1 (D2) anti-PD-(L)1 regimens received nivolumab and relatlimab.
  • Efficacy (objective response rate, progression-free survival) and safety were assessed by blinded independent central review.

Main Results:

  • Objective response rates were 12.0% (D1) and 9.2% (D2).
  • Median progression-free survival was 2.1 months (D1) and 3.2 months (D2).
  • Grade 3-4 treatment-related adverse events occurred in 15.0% (D1) and 12.8% (D2), with a manageable safety profile.

Conclusions:

  • Nivolumab and relatlimab demonstrate durable clinical activity in a subset of heavily pretreated advanced melanoma patients.
  • The combination offers a manageable safety profile and potential benefit for patients progressing on prior anti-PD-(L)1 therapies.

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