Two immunotherapy drugs are better than one for some metastatic colorectal cancers
https://www.facingourrisk.org/XRAY/treating-unresectable-and-metastatic-CRC
Full article: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(24)02848-4/abstract
Combining two immunotherapy drugs is a more effective treatment for certain metastatic colorectal cancers than using either treatment drug alone. Used together, Opdivo (nivolumab) plus Yervoy (ipilimumab) slowed cancer growth in MSI-High metastatic colorectal cancers, a type of colorectal cancer often found in Lynch syndrome. The FDA approved this combined treatment for MSI-High metastatic colorectal cancer after progression with chemotherapy. (Posted 4/30/25)
Questions To Ask Your Health Care Provider
- Has my tumor been tested for microsatellite instability? What was the result of that test?
- How does this test result affect my treatment options?
- Is Opdivo plus Yervoy an option for me?
- What are the possible side effects of Opdivo plus Yervoy?
Open Clinical Trials
The following studies enroll people with advanced colorectal cancer:
- NCT06750094: A Study of Amivantamab and FOLFIRI Versus Cetuximab/​Bevacizumab and FOLFIRI in Participants With KRAS/​NRAS and BRAF Wild-type (no mutation) Colorectal Cancer Who Have Previously Received Chemotherapy (OrigAMI-3). The goal of the study is to see how long participants survive without their cancer coming back or getting worse.
- NCT05838768: Study of HRO761 Alone or in Combination in Cancer Patients With Specific DNA Alterations Called Microsatellite Instability or Mismatch Repair Deficiency. The goal of the study is to look at the safety and tolerability of the new drug HRO761 alone or in combination with immunotherapy or chemotherapy for MSI-H or dMMR cancers.
- NCT05253651: Treatment of HER2-positive Colorectal Cancer as First Line Treatment in the Metastatic Setting. This study is being done to decide if the drug Tukysa (Tucatinib) combined with other cancer drugs works better than the standard of care for people with HER2-positive colorectal cancer.
- NCT03607890: Nivolumab and Relatlimab in Advanced MSI-H Cancers Resistant to Prior PD-(L)1 Inhibitor. This study evaluates the safety, effectiveness and tolerability of the immunotherapy drugs nivolumab and relatlimab in patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) solid tumors that resisted prior PD-(L)1 therapy.
- NCT05253651: Treatment of HER2-positive Colorectal Cancer as First Line Treatment in the Metastatic Setting. This study evaluates whether the drug Tukysa (tucatinib) combined with other cancer drugs is more effective than the standard-of-care treatment in people with HER2-positive colorectal cancer.
Several other clinical trials for patients with colorectal cancer can be found here.
About FORCE
FORCE is a national nonprofit organization, established in 1999. Our mission is to improve the lives of individuals and families affected by adult hereditary cancers.