From the Research
Patients on ipilimumab/nivolumab (ipi/nivo) combination immunotherapy typically undergo repeat imaging every 8-12 weeks during active treatment, as supported by the most recent study 1. This frequency allows clinicians to assess treatment response, identify immune-related adverse events affecting organs, and detect disease progression early. The specific imaging modality depends on the cancer type but often includes:
- CT scans of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis
- Additional MRI brain imaging for cancers with high risk of CNS involvement like melanoma Individual imaging schedules may be adjusted based on the patient's specific cancer type, response to therapy, risk of recurrence, and any symptoms that develop during treatment. After completing the combination phase and transitioning to nivolumab maintenance, imaging is generally continued at the same interval. For patients who achieve a complete response or stable disease, the imaging frequency may be reduced to every 12-16 weeks, as seen in studies such as 2 and 3. Most oncologists will continue surveillance imaging for at least 2 years after starting treatment, with some extending imaging surveillance for up to 5 years in high-risk patients, as noted in 4 and 1. The timing of these scans is crucial for monitoring treatment response and detecting potential adverse events, as highlighted in 5. Overall, the imaging schedule for patients on ipi/nivo combination immunotherapy should be tailored to the individual patient's needs and response to treatment, with a focus on minimizing morbidity, mortality, and improving quality of life.