The first phase III study of Bristol-Myers Squibb PD-1+LAG-3 combination therapy is successful

On March 25th, BMS announced the preliminary results of the Phase II/III RELATIVITY-047 study, a fixed-dose relatlimab (LAG-3 monoclonal antibody) + Opdivo (PD-1 monoclonal antibody) combination therapy for first-line treatment of metastatic or unresectable melanin Compared with the use of Opdivo alone, tumors can significantly improve the patient's progression-free survival (PFS), reaching the primary endpoint.

This is the first phase III study result of LAG-3 monoclonal antibody drug.

LAG-3 (lymphocyte activation gene 3, LAG-3, CD223) is an immune checkpoint receptor protein, which is mainly expressed in activated T cells, NK cells, B cells and plasma cell dendritic cells.

In chronic diseases such as cancer, the up-regulation of PD-1 and LAG-3 will suppress the immune system and progressively deplete T cells.

BMS has previously announced the data of a small-scale clinical trial of Relatlimab 80mg + Opdivo 240mg once every 2 weeks in 55 patients with PD-1/PD-L1 antibody treatment failure or drug resistance of malignant melanoma.

The use of immune checkpoint inhibitors alone or in combination with other drugs has revolutionized the survival rate of melanoma patients.

Relatlimab is the third immune checkpoint inhibitor with a completely different mechanism of action developed by BMS after CTLA-4 and PD-1.