Health x Wellness

First Immuno-Oncology Treatment For Advanced-Stage Lung Cancer Approved

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Bristol-Myers Squibb has recently announced that the Singapore Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has approved the use of the first immuno-oncology agent here in Singapore.

For several decades, lung cancer has been the most common cancer globally, with an estimated 1.8 million new cases in 2012 (12.9% of total cancer cases). On the local front, the Singapore Cancer Registry reported that 5,732 men and women died from lung cancer from 2010 to 2014, making it one of the deadliest cancer in Singapore. There are two types of lung cancer – non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer, with NSCLC being the most common type of lung cancer. NSCLC is further divided into squamous and non-squamous types. In Singapore, NSCLC comprises close to 90% of all lung cancer cases and most are diagnosed at an advanced stage, and less than 30% of advanced NSCLC patients respond to first-line chemotherapy treatment.

With such a low percentage in mind, a new drug has been created by Bristol-Myers Squibb for those suffering from locally-advanced or metastatic NSCLC who do not respond to first-line chemotherapy treatment. Known as Opdivo, the drug has proven that it has better chances of overall survival in comparison to chemotherapy in locally-advanced or metastatic NSCLC as proven in some landmark comparative studies that were designed with the goal of demonstrating survival. In these clinical trials, the median overall survival rate (OS) for metastatic non-squamous NSCLC was 51% and squamous NSCLC was 42%.

Opdivo belongs to a new class of drugs known as PD-1 inhibitors, which activate the immune system to attack tumours. Opdivo uses the PD-1 checkpoint protein found in immune cells – also known as T cells. The PD-1 checkpoint protein prevents the T cells from attacking healthy cells in the body. As it activates the immune system to find and fight cancer, it is known as an immuno-oncology agent. While other forms of cancer treatment can harm and damage healthy cells while attacking cancer cells, immuno-oncology agents does not attack the healthy cells in your body.

“Immuno-oncology has been recognised worldwide as one of the most significant advances in cancer treatment,” said Joyce Lee, Country Manager, Singapore of Bristol-Myers Squibb. “With today’s HSA approval, Bristol-Myers Squibb is pleased to know that Opdivo will be made available for patients in Singapore and around the region who come to Singapore to seek treatment. Opdivo is a mark of our commitment to further discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that have the potential to transform the lives of the patients we work for.”

Opdivo was approved in Singapore by the HSA on 4 April 2016. The drug is administered as an intravenous infusion upon prescription in a hospital or clinic, under the supervision of an experienced healthcare professional. Opdivo has been approved for use in 50 countries worldwide, including the U.S. and Europe.

 

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