Non completion of Ipi/Nivo combo

The intro to the second abstract in this post gives you a link to an article from ASCO 2016 in which the  ipi/nivo Checkmate 069 trial showed overall survival at 18 months was not appreciably different between those who completed all the combo doses and those who did not.  The second ASCO abstract itself, from this year, notes that in particular, those who show clinical benefit to the combo early, demonstrate survival outcomes similar to those who complete all 4 combo doses even if they take fewer doses.

Hope that helps.  Celeste

Yes this is true and in fact 4 doses was a somewhat arbitrary choice when ipi/nivo regimen was introduced. Because the data shows that those do less doses statistically do just as we as those who don’t there is now a trial underway in Sloan Kettering Hospital run by dr Postow where they just stop at 2 doses when patients show response (even not full response). They do ct after 2 doses to check for response and decide wether to give more. I am not sure when they will publish full results but preliminary results were encouraging and they are already published – if you want I could find it.

The toxicity of the drug is somewhat correlated with response, since basically when it activates you immune system against cancer it also activates it against your own tissues and organs. It is not a full correlation and a few people are lucky to have effect on their cancer without serious side effects and also vice versa. So you are likely to have a response and some side effects together.

Good luck with the treatment.