NICE approves first use of Opdivo in blood cancer

In a reversal of its draft guidance, following review of additional data, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has issued a final appraisal determination recommending Opdivo (nivolumab) for the treatment of adult patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) whose cancer is progressing (relapsed or refractory) despite prior autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) and treatment with brentuximab vedotin (BV).

Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY), the blockbuster drug’s maker, says this means that patients in England and Wales who have an aggressive blood cancer will be the first in the UK to benefit from the potentially life-extending medicine, nivolumab, on the National Health Service.

In a single-arm clinical trial, nivolumab caused considerable cancer reduction in over two-thirds of patients (68%, 95% CI: 56%, 78%), measured as objective response rate (ORR). In addition, 8% (95% CI: 3%, 16%) of these patients saw a complete response (CR), where no recognizable sign of cancer remained.