Immunotherapy drug nivolumab approved in Europe as adjuvant treatment for patients with oesophageal cancer
The European Commission (EC) recently approved nivolumab (Opdivo®) for the treatment of patients with oesophageal or gastro-oesophageal junction (GEJ) cancer who have undergone chemotherapy and radiotherapy followed by surgery and have a high risk for the cancer to return.1
It is the first time that an immunotherapy drug is approved in Europe for patients with oesophageal cancer as adjuvant treatment, meaning a treatment that helps previous treatments be more effective.
The approval is based on the CheckMate 577, a phase III, global clinical trial.2
Read more on the CheckMate 577 study that led to this approval HERE.
- Bristol Myers Squibb Receives European Commission Approval for Opdivo (nivolumab) as Adjuvant Treatment for Esophageal or Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer Patients with Residual Pathologic Disease Following Chemoradiotherapy. Press release. Bristol Myers Squibb. July 30, 2021. Accessed August 5, 2021.
- Kelly RJ, et al. Adjuvant Nivolumab in Resected Esophageal or Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer. N Engl J Med. 2021 Apr 1;384(13):1191-1203. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2032125.
Author:
Catie Young 
