Bristol-Myers Squibb ends Opdivo trial early based on positive results

Bristol-Myers Squibb has stopped a clinical trial of Opdivo early after the drug showed a strong performance in the treatment of head and neck cancer.

The CheckMate -141 study, which compared the therapy to an investigator's choice of treatment in patients with recurrent or metastatic platinum-refractory squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck was stopped after meeting its primary endpoint.

An assessment conducted by the independent data monitoring committee concluded that the drug had already demonstrated superior overall survival compared to the control arm, with this data to be shared with health authorities soon.

Bristol-Myers Squibb will now work to ensure that eligible patients participating in the trial will be provided the opportunity to continue or start treatment with Opdivo.

Dr Michael Giordano, senior vice-president and head of oncology development at Bristol-Myers Squibb, said: "We look forward to continuing to advance the Opdivo clinical development programme in hard-to-treat cancers, such as head and neck cancer."

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommended the drug for NHS use in the treatment of skin cancer in new final draft guidance issued earlier this month.