What is Nivolumab?
Nivolumab, marketed under the brand name Opdivo, is a monoclonal antibody that is used to treat certain forms of cancer.
Indications of nivolumab?
Nivolumab (Opdivo®) is used to treat the following conditions:
- Melanoma
- Lung cancer that is not a tiny cell
- Cancer of the kidney
- Hodgkin lymphoma classique
- Cancer of the esophagus
- A few types of head and neck cancers
- It is occasionally used to treat various types of cancer.
Nivolumab mechanism of action
PD-L1 and PD-L2 ligands bind to the PD-1 receptor on T cells, blocking their function. PD-L1 and PD-L2 are expressed by tumor cells. Nivolumab binds to PD-1 and prevents PD-L1 and PD-L2 from suppressing T-cell function, thereby restoring a patient’s tumor-specific T-cell response.
Dosage
Dosage for adults:
240mg every two weeks or 480mg every four weeks until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. 18yrs (as a single agent or in combination with cabozantinib): 240mg every two weeks or 480mg every four weeks until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. 3mg/kg every 3 weeks for 4 doses (followed by ipilimumab on the same day), then 240mg every 2 weeks or 480mg every 4 weeks (as a single agent) until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or up to 2 years. Adjuvant: 240mg every two weeks or 480mg every four weeks for up to one year, or until disease recurrence or intolerable toxicity. Modifications to the dose: refer to the whole labeling.
Dosage for Children:
18 years of age: not established.
Administration
Nivolumab is injected intravenously (IV) into a vein every two weeks for 60 minutes. The dose of nivolumab that you will take is determined by a number of factors, including your general health and the presence of underlying health issues.
Nivolumab side effects
- Back ache
- Scorching, peeling, or skin loosening
- Hazy vision
- Pain in the bones, joints, or muscles
- Sensations of burning, numbness, tingling, or discomfort
- Alteration or loss of taste
- Chest constriction
- Chills
- Constipation
- Cough
- Depressed disposition
- Diarrhea
- Inability to move
- Dizziness
- Skin and hair that are parched
- Fainting
- Heartbeat or pulse that is rapid, sluggish, hammering, or irregular
- Experiencing a chill
- A sensation of warmth
- Fever
- Hair thinning
- Headache
- Huskiness or hoarseness of voice
- Itching
- Appetite loss
- Cramping and rigidity of the muscles
- Nausea
- Nervousness
- Palpitations
- Eyes that are inflamed and irritated
- Facial, neck, arm, and, on occasion, upper chest redness
- Skin redness, swelling, and pain
- Skin scaling on the hands and feet
- Throat irritation
- Ulcers, sores, or white patches on the lips or in the mouth
- Tingling sensations in the fingers and toes
- Breathing difficulties
- Cutaneous ulceration
- Insecurity or awkwardness
- Unexpected exhaustion or weakness
- Vomiting
- Rise in weight
- Arm, hand, leg, or foot weakness
Drug interaction
These drugs may interact, resulting in extremely serious side effects. For additional information, consult your healthcare provider (e.g., doctor or pharmacist).
- Antibodies to pd-1 and pd-l1/thalidomide analogues
- Anti-inflammatory medications; immunomodulators/cladribine
- Anti-inflammatory medications; immunomodulators/siponimod
- Immunosuppressives; ozanimodulators/immunomodulators
- Anti-inflammatory medications; immunomodulators/fingolimod
- Immunomodulators/sodium iodide i 131 myelosuppressives
- Anti-inflammatory medications; immunomodulators/filgotinib
- Anti-inflammatory medications; immunomodulators/ponesimod
- Immunosuppressants selected/leflunomide
- Anti-inflammators; immunomodulators/baricitinib
- Antioxidants; immunomodulators/inebilizumab
- Anti-inflammatory medications; immunomodulators/upadacitinib
- Immunosuppres;immunomodul/selected agents of sclerosis
- Myelosuppressive agents selected/clozapine
- Myelosuppressive agents selected/deferiprone
Precautions/ safety information
- Before beginning nivolumab treatment, inform your doctor of any additional medications you are currently taking (including prescription, over-the-counter, vitamins, herbal remedies, etc.).
- While using nivolumab, do not obtain any type of vaccination or immunization without your doctor’s clearance.
Storage
Nivolumab is stable at 2–8 °C for 1 month and at 40 °C for 7 days.
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity that has been documented
- Fungal infection that has spread throughout the body
Pregnancy or lactation
Nivolumab is capable of crossing the placenta. If used during pregnancy, nivolumab is predicted to cause harm to the fetus.
