Posted by Michael Wonder on 03 Sep 2017
Nivolumab in squamous cell carcinoma in the head and neck area: additional benefit for certain patients
1 September 2017 - Significant benefit for patients with progression during or shortly after platinum-based therapy.
Nivolumab (Opdivo) has been approved since June 2017 for the treatment of adults with squamous cell carcinoma in the head and neck region. The Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) has already carried out several early evaluations of nivolumab in recent years. The Institute has investigated whether this medicine offers additional benefits to patients in this new indication.
There is evidence of a considerable benefit for those who have experienced disease progression during platinum-based chemotherapy or up to six months. No data are available for patients with a later progression. Thus, an additional benefit of nivolumab compared to the appropriate comparator therapy is not shown.
