Ono Pharmaceutical Information: Opdivo for Lung Cancer
Medical Supporter — Information Notice
This article is a summary of international medical information and is not medical advice; it cannot replace the diagnosis or treatment plan of your attending physician. The medical technologies, drug information and clinical data presented here are compiled from public literature and official statements of major Japanese medical institutions; the applicability and outcome of any therapy vary with each patient and must be assessed individually by a qualified physician.
On December 17, 2015, Ono Pharmaceutical issued a press release announcing the approval of Opdivo (nivolumab) for patients with unresectable advanced or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This drug is capable of inhibiting cancer cells; however, for patients where effectiveness is uncertain, both cost and safety remain significant considerations.
Below is some information from clinical trials conducted overseas:
CheckMate-017
Compared to standard treatment (docetaxel), the risk of death was reduced by 41%. The median overall survival was 9.2 months in the Opdivo group compared to 6 months in the docetaxel group. The one-year survival rate was 42% in the Opdivo group versus 24% in the docetaxel group. Data from trials such as CheckMate-057, ONO-4538-05, and ONO-4538-06 have also been made public.
While this drug is highly anticipated, several points warrant attention, such as the fact that the mechanism determining who will respond is not yet fully understood. Additionally, regarding cost, for a patient weighing 60 kg, the medical expense is approximately 3 million yen per month.
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