Relatlimab/nivolumab
Opdualagâ„¢ is the brand name for the combination of nivolumab and relatlimab-rmbw. It is approved for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age or older (who weigh at least 40 kg or ~88 lbs) with unresectable or metastatic melanoma. Relatlimab is not approved as a single agent.
Nivolumab and relatlimab inhibit molecules known as immune checkpoints, which stop the immune system from overreacting to inflammation, but also from responding to the presence of a cancer cell. These agents improve anticancer responses and patient survival.
Nivolumab inhibits the checkpoint known as programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1), and relatlimab inhibits the checkpoint called lymphocyte activating gene 3 (LAG-3). The use of a combination approach that targets different parts of the immune system helps overcome drug resistance and improve outcomes. For this reason, nivolumab and relatlimab are given together as a single infusion. While antitumor activity is improved with the combination, the risk and severity of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) are also heightened when compared with nivolumab alone.
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