Nivolumab
Nivolumab (Opdivo®) is an anti-programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) monoclonal antibody that binds to PD-1, a checkpoint control. PD-1 is a negative regulator of T-cell activation and proliferation, meaning PD-1 engagement will turn the immune response off, essentially acting as a brake to an immune reaction. For this reason, PD-1 and other regulators acting in this manner are known as immune checkpoints.
This type of inhibitory role is necessary for a normal system to prevent an excessive immune reaction and potentially lethal autoimmune response. Unfortunately, some tumors can exploit the PD-1 pathway, enabling them to evade an immune response by engaging the shut-off actions of PD-1. Nivolumab selectively binds to PD-1, thus physically blocking the engagement of PD-1 and preventing the immune system from being shut off by tumor cells. This allows the immune response to recognize the tumor cells and take action.
Nivolumab is now available as a subcutaneous injection, nivolumab and hyaluronidase-nvhy (OPDIVO QVANTIG), in addition to the intravenous formulation.
Nivolumab is indicated as treatment for various cancer types including:
- Classic Hodgkin lymphoma
- Colorectal cancer
- Esophageal adenocarcinoma
- Gastric cancer
- Gastroesophageal junction cancer
- Hepatocellular carcinoma
- Malignant pleural mesothelioma
- Melanoma
- Non-small cell lung cancer
- Renal cell carcinoma
- Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck
- Urothelial carcinoma
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