Immunotherapy combination shows promise in advanced bladder cancer

Combining nivolumab and ipilimumab could provide significant tumour reduction.

“Over the last 30 years, there has been very little improvement in survival for patients with advanced bladder cancer and the outlook for these people remains poor,” said Professor Thomas Powles, Clinical Professor of Genitourinary Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute. “We have already seen that this combination of nivolumab plus ipilimumab can work effectively in other cancers such as advanced melanoma and these results provide an early indication of how this combination could transform how we treat bladder cancer in the future.”

Nivolumab has an innovative mode of action that works by harnessing the ability of the immune system to fight cancer. Ipilimumab has a similar mode of action but acts on a different checkpoint, called CTLA-4. Combining the two medicines aims to block both receptors at the same time, which then potentially allows the immune system to recognise and destroy tumour cells.

In the clinical trial, the incidence of Grade 3-4 treatment-related adverse events (AEs) was 30.8% in the nivolumab 1 mg/kg plus ipilimumab 3 mg/kg cohort; treatment-related AEs led to discontinuation of therapy in 7.7% of patients.

“At BMS, we have made significant strides to further the scientific understanding of immunotherapy combinations for treating a range of tumour types. These latest data indicate the future potential of this innovative approach for patients who are in the advanced stages of bladder cancer,” said Sue Bailey, Disease Area Head, Oncology, BMS, UK and Ireland. “Our goal is to change survival expectations in cancer and we hope that in the future, these data translate into improved expectations for patients with this disease.”

The combination of nivolumab plus ipilimumab in bladder cancer is investigational and not licensed for use. This combination therapy is licensed and available on the NHS for the treatment of advanced melanoma