What the trial was testing
The CheckMate 743 enrolled 605 patients with mesothelioma. The study was sponsored by Bristol-Myers Squibb and tracked outcomes across the full group of patients who matched the trial's eligibility profile.
It was a large trial designed to confirm whether the treatment works well enough for wider use. Trials at this stage are designed to produce evidence regulators and physicians can act on — not just observations to follow up later.
What the results showed
Median survival rose from 14.1 to 18.1 months on the immunotherapy combo.
The Lancet · 2021 · NCT02899299
These findings — that median overall survival on nivolumab + ipilimumab vs. chemotherapy in mesothelioma — were published in the The Lancet and represent the headline result of the study.
Researchers tracked outcomes across 605 patients enrolled in the trial. The result was consistent enough across the group that the team felt confident reporting it.
What this means for patients
For patients with mesothelioma, this result changes the calculus on what to ask their care team about. Whether it changes day-to-day care depends on factors like disease subtype, prior treatments, and where the patient is in their care journey.
What you can do now
Nivolumab (Opdivo) plus ipilimumab (Yervoy) is FDA-approved and available now as first-line treatment for unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma. Immune-related side effects can be serious and require quick recognition. Ask a thoracic oncologist about whether you qualify.
Eligibility for the treatments mentioned above depends on specific test results and clinical history. Bring this summary, the trial name, and your most recent labs or pathology report to your next visit.
Open mesothelioma trials
Impact of Cardiac Coherence on Anxiety in Patients Operated on for a Peritoneal Carcinosis
The investigator proposes to use the cardiac coherence technique to diminish anxiety before the surgery of a peritoneal carcinosis of colon or stomach or ovary and pseudomyxoma or peritoneal mesothelioma.
Partial Pleurectomy (Surgery) for Unresectable Pleural Mesothelioma
Purpose of the study: The main purpose of this research study is to see if a surgery procedure (limited partial pleurectomy and decortication) helps symptoms in people who have cancer that is unresectable that might not be able to be removed completely. This is called unresectable cancer. This study will also help the research team learn more about the types of symptoms and quality of life for people who have undergone this surgery, the number of complications following , and the time from surgery to starting other therapy. Th e study team also wants to see see the overall survival of people who have had this procedure as part of their care. What will be done as part of research on this study: * Surgery (Partial Pleurectomy - surgery to remove lining of lungs) * The research team will also ask study participants questions about their symptoms through questionnaires at certain times after surgery. How long this study will last: Participation in this research (pre-surgery, surgery and follow-up) will last for about 2 years. Confidentiality: All personal information will be kept confidential, and data will be used only for research purposes. Contact Information: For more information about this study, please contact PhaseIICRA@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu