Nivolumab Plus Ipilimumab as First-Line Therapy Improves Survival in Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma

In the CheckMate 9DW phase 3 trial involving 668 patients with unresectable HCC, nivolumab (1 mg/kg) plus ipilimumab (3 mg/kg), followed by nivolumab maintenance, significantly improved overall survival (median OS 23.7 vs. 20.6 months; HR 0.79; p=0.018) compared to lenvatinib or sorafenib, despite an early signal of higher mortality in the first 6 months. Long-term survival rates were notably higher at 24 months (49% vs. 39%) and 36 months (38% vs. 24%).

These data support nivolumab plus ipilimumab as a promising first-line treatment option for patients with advanced HCC, offering a survival benefit with a manageable safety profile.