Subcutaneous versus intravenous nivolumab for renal cell carcinoma

The evolving oncology treatment paradigm has created an unmet need for administration options that improve patient experiences and health care efficiencies. CheckMate 67T (NCT04810078) was a phase III, open-label, multicenter, noninferiority trial in which patients with advanced/metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma were randomized to subcutaneous nivolumab (1200 mg every 4 weeks; coformulated with recombinant human hyaluronidase PH20 20 000 units) or intravenous nivolumab (3 mg/kg every 2 weeks). The primary objective was to assess the noninferiority of subcutaneous versus intravenous nivolumab by coprimary endpoints determined from a population pharmacokinetics analysis [time-averaged serum concentration over the first 28 days (Cavgd28), and minimum steady-state serum concentration (Cminss); noninferiority threshold: lower boundary of 90% confidence interval (CI) of the geometric mean ratios (GMR) ≥0.8]. Objective response rate (ORR) was a key secondary endpoint powered for noninferiority [noninferiority threshold: lower boundary of 95% CI of relative risk of ORR (subcutaneous versus intravenous nivolumab) ≥0.60]. Overall, 495 patients were randomized. Relative exposure in the subcutaneous versus intravenous arm reported by the GMR of Cavgd28 and Cminss was 2.098 (90% CI 2.001-2.200) and 1.774 (90% CI 1.633-1.927), respectively. After 8 months of minimum follow-up, ORR was 24.2% with subcutaneous nivolumab (95% CI 19.0%-30.0%) versus 18.2% with intravenous nivolumab [95% CI 13.6%-23.6%; relative risk: 1.33 (95% CI 0.94-1.87)]. Coprimary endpoints and ORR met noninferiority thresholds. Additional efficacy and safety measures were similar. Subcutaneous nivolumab was noninferior to intravenous nivolumab based on pharmacokinetics and ORR. No new safety signals were observed. •There is an unmet need in oncology for administration options that improve patient experiences and health care efficiencies.•This phase III noninferiority trial compared subcutaneous nivolumab with intravenous nivolumab in renal cell carcinoma.•Subcutaneous nivolumab was noninferior to intravenous nivolumab based on pharmacokinetics and ORR.•The safety profile was consistent between arms and no new safety concerns were reported with subcutaneous nivolumab.•Our findings support subcutaneous nivolumab as an option to reduce treatment burden and improve health care efficiency.