Follow-up data from phase I and phase II clinical trials with nivolumab were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Chicago last week, showing that about one-third of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) survival for 4 or 5 years or more following treatment with nivolumab (Opdivo) in the second-line. These data are from the longest follow-up with an anti-PD-1 immunotherapy to date in the treatment of RCC.

In the phase I study, the 5-year overall survival (OS) rate was 34%. In the phase II study, 29% of patients remained alive at 4 years. In addition, further analysis of the data showed that responses were consistent across patients with different characteristics. Follow-up data from the pivotal phase III CheckMate-025 study, which led to FDA approval, has demonstrated improvements in health-related quality of life with nivolumab versus everolimus (Afinitor).

Researchers are investigating potential predictors (biomarkers) for long-term survival in patients with advanced RCC who have previously been treated.

Read more here and read the ASCO abstract here