Bristol-Myers Squibb stops successful melanoma drug trial early

Bristol-Myers Squibb has called an early end to a highly successful phase III trial of its new melanoma drug nivolumab.

An independent data monitoring committee recommended early cessation of CheckMate -066, a randomised blinded comparative study evaluating nivolumab versus dacarbazine in patients with previously untreated BRAF wild-type advanced melanoma.

The trial had generated strong evidence of the superior overall survival rates in patients receiving nivolumab compared to the control arm. As such, patients in the trial will be unblinded and allowed to cross over to nivolumab.

It represents the first well-controlled, randomised phase III trial of an investigational PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor to demonstrate an overall survival benefit.

Dr Michael Giordano, head of oncology development at Bristol-Myers Squibb, said: "Bristol-Myers Squibb is committed to continuing to lead advances in immuno-oncology and to executing our strategy to provide patients with the best opportunity to achieve the potential for long-term survival."

This comes after the firm reported positive data from a phase III trial of another melanoma drug – the approved therapy Yervoy – earlier this month.