Dr. Siefker-Radtke on Bempegaldesleukin Plus Nivolumab in Urothelial Carcinoma

Arlene O. Siefker-Radtke, MD, professor, Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses the promise of bempegaldesleukin (NKTR-214) plus nivolumab (Opdivo) in the treatment of patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma.

In the phase I/II PIVOT-02 study, the overall response rate with the novel combination was 48%, with a complete response rate of 19%, according to data presented at the 2019 Genitourinary Cancers Symposium. Not only are researchers seeing gratifying responses in the overall population, Siefker-Radtke notes, but this benefit is also extending into the patients who have PD-L1—negative tumors.

Historically, patients who express PD-L1 negativity have had lower responses with checkpoint inhibitors. In fact, the FDA recently released guidance that patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma should not receive checkpoint inhibition in the frontline setting unless they are PD-L1—positive. Thus, these early data suggest that this combination may address an unmet need in these patients.

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