The Absolute Effect / Oncology Evidence / Evidence Index
CheckMate 743
In previously untreated unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma, does nivolumab plus ipilimumab improve overall survival over platinum-pemetrexed chemotherapy?
Registry: NCT02899299 · Evidence reviewed 9 November 2026 · Aliases and follow-up publications consolidated.
Phase III randomized open-label; n=605.Primary-source evidence summaryStudy design, population and eligibility
Phase III randomized open-label; n=605.
Previously untreated unresectable MPM, ECOG 0–1.
Treatment and comparator
Intervention: Nivolumab + ipilimumab up to 2 years.
Comparator: Up to six cycles platinum + pemetrexed.
Endpoints
OS primary.
Key efficacy and clinical outcomes
Median OS 18.1 vs 14.1 mo (HR 0.74); 3-y OS 23% vs 15%.
Source-reported outcome visualization
Values are reproduced from the cited report; bars are scaled within this figure. First-line unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma
Median survival and hazard ratios are not fixed-time event risks; NNT is not inferred from them.
Toxicity and treatment burden
Grade 3–4 treatment-related AEs 30% vs 32%; immune-related pneumonitis, encephalitis, hepatitis and endocrinopathy.
Absolute effect and NNT/NNH
Histology modifies absolute outcome; consider non-epithelioid vs epithelioid subgroup context.
NNT/NNH is not calculated unless a directly reported, comparable fixed-time risk difference supports it. Median survival and hazard ratios alone do not provide an NNT.
Critical interpretation and limitations
Histology modifies absolute outcome; consider non-epithelioid vs epithelioid subgroup context.
This page is an evidence summary, not a substitute for multidisciplinary assessment or patient-specific decision-making.
Current-practice context
Review date: 9 November 2026. Primary publication and selected follow-up sources were reviewed. Full disease-specific guideline, regulatory-label and sequencing audit remains pending; verify current local recommendations and biomarker eligibility before clinical application.