Nivolumab in combination with ipilimumab for gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer – first line

Nivolumab in combination with ipilimumab is under development for the treatment of advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer. Gastric cancer is a malignant tumour originating in the cells of the stomach. Advanced gastric cancer begins in the stomach and spread into the tissues around the stomach, either as locally advanced disease, or it can metastasise to other areas of the body. Advanced cancer cannot usually be cured, but treatment may control further growth of the disease, relieve symptoms and give the patient a good quality of life. Gastric cancer is mainly diagnosed at this latter stage decreasing the likelihood of a positive outcome.
Nivolumab is a human monoclonal antibody, which binds to a protein found on T-cells blocking its reaction with inhibitors (PD-L1/PD-L2) which allows T-cells to kill to cancer cells. Ipilimumab is an immune checkpoint inhibitor that blocks T-cell inhibitory signals increasing the number of reactive T-effector cells. If licensed, this combination could provide a first line treatment that has the potential to improve health outcomes.