Nivolumab-relatlimab safer than ipilimumab-nivolumab in advanced cutaneous melanoma

Treatment with nivolumab plus relatlimab results in a lower incidence of severe immune-related adverse events (irAEs), delayed onset of irAEs, and reduced rate of treatment discontinuation among patients with advanced cutaneous melanoma when compared with ipilimumab plus nivolumab, reports a study.

The analysis included 47 patients treated with one or more doses of either ipilimumab-nivolumab or nivolumab-relatlimab. Of the participants, 37 (78.2 percent) developed at least one irAE of any grade.

Baseline characteristics did not significantly differ between patients who received nivolumab-relatlimab and those who received ipilimumab-nivolumab.

Seventy-three irAEs occurred, with the severity ranging from grade 1 to grade 3. Specifically, 16 irAEs (21.9 percent) occurred in the nivolumab-relatlimab group, of which three (18.8 percent) were grade 3‒4, while 57 irAEs (78.1 percent) occurred in the ipilimumab-nivolumab group, with 14 (24.6 percent) being grade 3‒4.

Overall, these findings “show that nivolumab-relatlimab had a lower incidence of developing severe irAEs in comparison to ipilimumab-nivolumab,” the researchers said.

This retrospective chart review was conducted on all patients who underwent treatment with either combination of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for advanced cutaneous melanoma.

“Frontline therapy for patients with advanced cutaneous melanoma often includes ICIs,” the researchers said. “Although these agents have increased response rates, many patients will experience irAEs.”