Survival gains from immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been unevenly distributed in the U.S., with uninsured patients seeing smaller improvements than those with private insurance, according to new research published July 7 in JAMA Network Open .

The first ICI, Yervoy (ipilimumab), received FDA approval in 2011 for melanoma. Since then, additional ICIs, such as Opdivo (nivolumab) and Keytruda (pembrolizumab), have been approved for multiple cancer types, including non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Clinical trials have shown meaningful improvements in overall survival compared with traditional chemotherapy or radiation. However, the high costs of ICIs, often up to $250,000 for a full course, raise concerns about access for uninsured patients.

The analysis, led by Jingxuan Zhao,

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