Last reviewed 2026-04-23 · How we verify

Nivolumab & Ipilimumab

Nivolumab and ipilimumab together block immune checkpoints (PD-1 and CTLA-4) to unleash T-cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity.

Nivolumab and ipilimumab together block immune checkpoints (PD-1 and CTLA-4) to unleash T-cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity. Used for Metastatic melanoma, Advanced non-small cell lung cancer, Renal cell carcinoma.

At a glance

Mechanism of action

Nivolumab is a PD-1 inhibitor that blocks the interaction between PD-1 on T cells and PD-L1/PD-L2 on tumor cells, preventing immune exhaustion. Ipilimumab is a CTLA-4 inhibitor that enhances T-cell activation and proliferation by blocking a negative costimulatory signal. Combined, they provide dual checkpoint inhibition for enhanced anti-tumor immune response.

Approved indications

• Metastatic melanoma
• Advanced non-small cell lung cancer
• Renal cell carcinoma
• Colorectal cancer (microsatellite instability-high or mismatch repair-deficient)

Common side effects

• Fatigue
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Rash
• Immune-related hepatitis
• Immune-related pneumonitis
• Immune-related colitis
• Hypothyroidism

Key clinical trials

• Brentuximab Vedotin and Nivolumab With or Without Ipilimumab in Treating Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Hodgkin Lymphoma (PHASE1, PHASE2)
• 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)
• Cabozantinib S-malate and Nivolumab With or Without Ipilimumab in Treating Patients With Metastatic Genitourinary Tumors (PHASE1)
• Nivolumab and Ipilimumab in Treating Patients With Rare Tumors (PHASE2)
• Testing the Combination of ZEN003694 and Nivolumab With or Without Ipilimumab in Solid Tumors (PHASE1)
• Immunotherapy in Combination With Prednisone and Sirolimus for Kidney Transplant Recipients With Unresectable or Metastatic Skin Cancer (PHASE1, PHASE2)
• A Study Testing the Effect of Immunotherapy (Ipilimumab and Nivolumab) in Patients With Recurrent Glioma With Elevated Mutational Burden (PHASE2)

Primary sources

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