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Nivolumab Injection
Nivolumab is a monoclonal antibody that blocks PD-1 on immune cells, allowing them to recognize and attack cancer cells.
Nivolumab is a monoclonal antibody that blocks PD-1 on immune cells, allowing them to recognize and attack cancer cells. Used for Metastatic melanoma, Non-small cell lung cancer, Renal cell carcinoma.
At a glance
| Generic name | Nivolumab Injection |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Opdivo, OpDIVO, opdivo, Optivo, OPDIVO |
| Sponsor | UNICANCER |
| Drug class | PD-1 inhibitor |
| Target | PD-1 (Programmed Death-1) |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Oncology |
| Phase | Phase 3 |
Mechanism of action
Nivolumab binds to programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) on T cells, preventing interaction with PD-L1 and PD-L2 ligands expressed on tumor cells and immune cells. This blockade releases the 'brakes' on the immune system, restoring T cell activation, proliferation, and anti-tumor function. By enhancing endogenous anti-tumor immunity, nivolumab enables the body's own immune system to control and eliminate cancer.
Approved indications
- Metastatic melanoma
- Non-small cell lung cancer
- Renal cell carcinoma
- Classical Hodgkin lymphoma
- Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck
- Urothelial carcinoma
- Colorectal cancer (microsatellite instability-high or mismatch repair deficient)
Common side effects
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Rash
- Immune-mediated pneumonitis
- Immune-mediated hepatitis
- Immune-mediated colitis
- Hypothyroidism
Key clinical trials
- Therapy Adapted for High Risk and Low Risk HIV-Associated Anal Cancer (PHASE2)
- Nivolumab in Treating Patients With Localized Kidney Cancer Undergoing Nephrectomy (PHASE3)
- Nivolumab in Combination With Chemo-Immunotherapy for the Treatment of Newly Diagnosed Primary Mediastinal B-Cell Lymphoma (PHASE3)
- Brentuximab Vedotin and Nivolumab With or Without Ipilimumab in Treating Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Hodgkin Lymphoma (PHASE1, PHASE2)
- Nivolumab in Treating Patients With Autoimmune Disorders and Advanced, Metastatic, or Unresectable Cancer (PHASE1)
- Testing Nivolumab With or Without Ipilimumab in Deficient Mismatch Repair System (dMMR) Recurrent Endometrial Carcinoma (PHASE2)
- Testing the Addition of an Anti-cancer Drug, Copanlisib, to the Usual Immunotherapy (Nivolumab With or Without Ipilimumab) in Patients With Advanced Solid Cancers That Have Changes in the Following Genes: PIK3CA and PTEN (PHASE1, PHASE2)
- Adding Nivolumab to Usual Treatment for People With Advanced Stomach or Esophageal Cancer, PARAMUNE Trial (PHASE2, PHASE3)
Primary sources
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| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |