Bristol-Myers Squibb calls early halt to Opdivo drug trial

Bristol-Myers Squibb has announced the early end of an open-label, randomised phase III study assessing its drug Opdivo in the treatment of advanced, squamous cell non-small cell lung cancer.

An independent data monitoring committee has concluded that the CheckMate-017 study has already met its endpoint, demonstrating superior overall survival in patients receiving Opdivo compared to the control arm.

This is the first time a study has indicated a survival advantage with an anti-PD1 immune checkpoint inhibitor in lung cancer. The data will now be shared with the relevant health authorities by Bristol-Myers Squibb.

Investigators are now being informed of the decision to stop the comparative portion of the trial, with eligible patients to be given the opportunity to continue or start treatment with Opdivo in an open-label extension.

A statement from Bristol-Myers Squibb said: "The company will complete a full evaluation of the final CheckMate-017 data and work with investigators on the future presentation and publication of the results."

The company has agreed a number of collaborations in recent months to further assess Opdivo in combination with other therapies, including partnerships with Pharmacyclics, Janssen, Ono Pharmaceutical and Kyowa Hakko Kirin.