Nivolumab. Opdivo®

Abstract

Nivolumab is a human monoclonal antibody that blocks the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2. It has shown promising activity and safety in melanoma when used as monotherapy but the efficacy may be even higher when used in combination with ipilimumab. Among patients with advanced, previously treated squamous-cell non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) and nonsquamous, overall survival, was significantly better with nivolumab than with docetaxel, regardless of PD-L1 expression leveln [1-3]. In patients with previously treated advanced renal-cell carcinoma, overall survival was longer and fewer grade 3 or 4 adverse events occurred with nivolumab than with everolimus [4]. Overall, the toxicity profile with this drug is manageable. Ongoing trials are investigating its potential role alone or in combination with other therapies in multiple cancer settings [1-4].