Opdivo and Yervoy for Mesothelioma: An Informational Webinar

In October 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a combination of the immunotherapy drugs nivolumab (Opdivo) and ipilimumab (Yervoy) as a new first-line treatment for mesothelioma patients who are not eligible for surgery.

Thanks to this approval, the therapy is now more widely available, but patients and caregivers may still have questions about eligibility, pricing, side effects and more.

On Tuesday, Aug. 17, at 8 p.m. EDT, The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com will host an informational session to answer your questions regarding this latest mesothelioma immunotherapy treatment.

During the webinar, experts Dr. Snehal Smart and registered nurse Karen Selby, Patient Advocates at The Mesothelioma Center, will explain the details of Opdivo and Yervoy therapy. They will share insights into how it works and who can receive it. The webinar will be available as a recording for those unable to attend.

Opdivo and Yervoy Discussion Topics

Smart and Selby will review the CheckMate-743 clinical trial results that led to the FDA approval of Opdivo and Yervoy for mesothelioma. Other topics include clinical trials, immunotherapy vs. chemotherapy and immunotherapy as part of a multimodal treatment plan.

Chemotherapy vs. Immunotherapy

They’ll discuss how Opdivo and Yervoy differ from chemotherapy and other types of immunotherapy, plus what it means for mesothelioma patients, including:

Both chemotherapy and immunotherapy can be part of multimodal approaches to mesothelioma treatment.

Opdivo, Yervoy and Multimodal Therapy

In a multimodal treatment plan, physicians prescribe Opdivo and Yervoy alongside chemotherapy, radiation therapy and other treatments.

Selby and Smart will explore:

Multimodal, or combination therapy, is the gold standard for mesothelioma care and has improved survival rates and patient outcomes.

Who Benefits Most from Immunotherapy?

Patients and their loved ones may also want to know who benefits the most from Opdivo and Yervoy immunotherapy and how oncologists prescribe the treatment.

The informational session will provide an overview of:

Immunotherapy for mesothelioma is an exciting new option for many patients, but it is not guaranteed to be effective for everyone. Doctors may choose to prescribe Opdivo and Yervoy differently or decide that it may not benefit some patients.

This webinar will also explore options for mesothelioma patients who may not qualify for Opdivo and Yervoy immunotherapy, including:

The webinar will offer examples of questions to ask your doctor about Opdivo and Yervoy and will also examine some future potential therapies that are still in early testing.

Financial Options for Opdivo and Yervoy

Smart and Selby will also provide resources on how patients can pay for Opdivo and Yervoy. As a newer option in mesothelioma treatment, these drugs can be overly expensive for most patients.

However, there are programs to aid in covering the cost of mesothelioma treatment, including:

If you’re joining us live, you’ll be able to submit questions anonymously for our experts to answer during the event. Afterward, we’ll be sending out the recording of our Opdivo and Yervoy webinar so you can view it at any time.

Get to Know Our Experts

Dr. Snehal Smart

Dr. Snehal Smart has spent years using her medical experience to advise patients and their loved ones. As a Patient Advocate, Smart specializes in helping mesothelioma patients understand their diagnosis and helpful new therapies such as Opdivo and Yervoy immunotherapy.

Smart has connected hundreds of patients with top mesothelioma specialists and clinical trials appropriate to their illness. After several years of helping mesothelioma patients, she has learned to appreciate the concerns many of these patients have and hopes to ease their fears through this informational session.

Patients and family members likely have many questions about Opdivo and Yervoy therapy for mesothelioma. Smart is optimistic that the information provided in this webinar will help mesothelioma patients and caregivers feel confident and hopeful about their options and their future.

Karen Selby, RN

Karen Selby has decades of experience as a registered nurse and has assisted surgeons during complicated thoracic procedures such as lung resections and transplants. As a Patient Advocate at The Mesothelioma Center, Selby connects mesothelioma patients, their loved ones and their caregivers with the latest and best information and resources.

Selby is a member of the Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators. She joined The Mesothelioma Center in 2009, and her years of experience have taught her that patients are always willing to try the newest therapies. She understands that many patients have questions about Opdivo and Yervoy for mesothelioma.

Selby has written hundreds of articles on the best health practices for mesothelioma patients, and the latest information on Opdivo and Yervoy is no exception. She believes patients and caregivers will find the answers they need regarding the newest mesothelioma immunotherapy in this webinar.