OPDIVO (Nivolumab): Pioneering Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy
Explore how OPDIVO harnesses immune checkpoint inhibition to treat melanoma, kidney cancer, lung cancer, and other difficult-to-treat malignancies.
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OPDIVO (nivolumab) was one of the first PD-1 inhibitors to receive FDA approval and has since become a cornerstone of cancer immunotherapy. By blocking immune checkpoints, OPDIVO enables the body's natural defenses to recognize and eliminate cancer cells.
**How OPDIVO Works**
OPDIVO is a fully human monoclonal antibody that binds to the PD-1 receptor on lymphocytes, blocking its interaction with PD-L1 and PD-L2. This prevents cancer cells from using these proteins as a "shield" against immune detection.
**Approved Indications**
- Melanoma (unresectable or metastatic)
- Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
- Renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer)
- Classical Hodgkin lymphoma
- Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck
- Urothelial carcinoma
- Colorectal cancer (MSI-H or dMMR)
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer)
- Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
**Combination Therapies**
OPDIVO shows enhanced efficacy when combined with other treatments:
- OPDIVO + Yervoy (ipilimumab) for melanoma and kidney cancer
- OPDIVO + chemotherapy for various cancers
- OPDIVO + Cabometyx for renal cell carcinoma
**Treatment Schedule**
Typically administered every 2 or 4 weeks via intravenous infusion. Treatment continues until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity, often for up to 2 years.
**Efficacy Data**
Long-term studies demonstrate durable responses in many patients. In melanoma, some patients achieve remission lasting years after treatment completion. Survival benefits have been demonstrated across multiple cancer types.
**Safety Profile**
Common immune-related adverse events include fatigue, rash, diarrhea, and endocrine disorders. Serious but rare complications can affect lungs, liver, kidneys, and other organs. Regular monitoring is essential.
**Patient Selection**
While PD-L1 expression can help predict response, OPDIVO has shown benefit regardless of PD-L1 status in some cancers. Your oncologist will determine if OPDIVO is suitable based on your specific cancer type and characteristics.
Contact us to learn more about OPDIVO availability and how to access this innovative therapy.
**How OPDIVO Works**
OPDIVO is a fully human monoclonal antibody that binds to the PD-1 receptor on lymphocytes, blocking its interaction with PD-L1 and PD-L2. This prevents cancer cells from using these proteins as a "shield" against immune detection.
**Approved Indications**
- Melanoma (unresectable or metastatic)
- Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
- Renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer)
- Classical Hodgkin lymphoma
- Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck
- Urothelial carcinoma
- Colorectal cancer (MSI-H or dMMR)
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer)
- Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
**Combination Therapies**
OPDIVO shows enhanced efficacy when combined with other treatments:
- OPDIVO + Yervoy (ipilimumab) for melanoma and kidney cancer
- OPDIVO + chemotherapy for various cancers
- OPDIVO + Cabometyx for renal cell carcinoma
**Treatment Schedule**
Typically administered every 2 or 4 weeks via intravenous infusion. Treatment continues until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity, often for up to 2 years.
**Efficacy Data**
Long-term studies demonstrate durable responses in many patients. In melanoma, some patients achieve remission lasting years after treatment completion. Survival benefits have been demonstrated across multiple cancer types.
**Safety Profile**
Common immune-related adverse events include fatigue, rash, diarrhea, and endocrine disorders. Serious but rare complications can affect lungs, liver, kidneys, and other organs. Regular monitoring is essential.
**Patient Selection**
While PD-L1 expression can help predict response, OPDIVO has shown benefit regardless of PD-L1 status in some cancers. Your oncologist will determine if OPDIVO is suitable based on your specific cancer type and characteristics.
Contact us to learn more about OPDIVO availability and how to access this innovative therapy.
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