LAG-3 is a cell-surface molecule that is expressed on immune cells, including T cells, and negatively regulates T-cell proliferation and effector T-cell function. Tawbi of the Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX, US published their findings in the 6 th January 2022 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine. Relatlimab-nivolumab combination showed no new safety signals. Relatlimab–nivolumab also had the PFS benefit over nivolumab in prespecified subgroups.
The separation of the PFS curves occurred at the initial postbaseline assessment at approximately 12 weeks and was sustained thereafter. Blinded independent assessment of the primary endpoint showed that progression-free survival (PFS) was longer with relatlimab–nivolumab combination than with single agent nivolumab.
A phase II/III, RELATIVITY-047, global, double-blind, randomised study evaluated dual inhibition of LAG-3 and PD-1 using a new combination of LAG-3–blocking antibody relatlimab and PD-1–blocking antibody nivolumab, as compared with nivolumab alone.