Dr. Motzer on Nivolumab/Ipilimumab Activity in RCC

Robert J. Motzer, MD, medical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 2016 Giant of Cancer Care in Genitourinary Cancer, discusses the data seen thus far with nivolumab (Opdivo) plus ipilimumab (Yervoy) in the treatment of patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Motzer highlights the results of a phase Ib trial that showed promising activity for ipilimumab in combination with nivolumab. The study looked at different dose levels with the regimen and identified a specific dosage and combination that was both well tolerated and effective: nivolumab at 3 mg/kg with ipilimumab at 1 mg/kg. When the researchers tested a higher dose of ipilimumab, they saw increased toxicity.

These findings led to a large randomized phase III trial, CheckMate-214, which compared sunitinib (Sutent) with nivolumab and ipilimumab in the first-line setting. That trial has now completed accrual, and according to Motzer, results are expected in 2017 or early 2018.