Safety of shortened infusion times for combined ipilimumab and nivolumab

• DOI: 10.1007/s00262-017-2075-y
• Publication Date: 2017-10-07T06:54:59Z
• Authors: Maximilian Gassen...; Hans-Peter Lipp; Alexander Scheu; Nikolaus Benjamin...; Lukas Kofler; Alisa Mueller; Dennis Doecker; Thomas Kurt Eigen...; Claus Garbe; Andrea Forschner
• Keywords: Aged, 80 and over; Male; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Middle Aged; Ipilimumab; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; Nivolumab; 0302 clinical medicine; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Humans; Female; Infusions, Intravenous; Melanoma; Aged; Retrospective Studies

Combined ipilimumab and nivolumab induces encouraging response rates in patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma. However, the approved protocol for dual checkpoint inhibition (3 mg/kg ipilimumab over 90 min and 1 mg/kg nivolumab over 60 min) is time-intensive and several trials have shown that both single agents can be safely administered at faster infusion rates.To investigate whether combined checkpoint inhibition with 3 mg/kg ipilimumab and 1 mg/kg nivolumab can be safely administered over 30 min per agent.We reviewed the rate of infusion-related reactions (IRRs) in the first 12 months of our single-institution experience using shortened infusion times for combined checkpoint inhibition with ipilimumab and nivolumab.Between May 24, 2016 and June 10, 2017, a total of 46 melanoma patients received 100 shortened cycles of combined 3 mg/kg ipilimumab and 1 mg/kg nivolumab. One patient (2.2%; 1/46) had a questionable reaction after administration of 1 mg/kg nivolumab over 30 min, but none of the other patients had a bona fide IRR.Shortened infusion times for combined ipilimumab and nivolumab treatment are safe, thereby facilitating a more efficient use of outpatient facilities and enhancing patient's convenience.