Common brand names

• Opdivo

How it is administered

Nivolumab is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion, meaning it is delivered directly into your bloodstream through a vein. The medication is supplied as a liquid in single-dose vials and is diluted before being administered.

For classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL), the typical dosage is 240 mg every 2 weeks or 480 mg every 4 weeks. The infusion usually takes about 30 minutes. Your healthcare team will determine the exact schedule and dosage based on your specific situation.

How it works

Nivolumab is a type of immunotherapy known as a PD-1 inhibitor. In some cancers, including classical Hodgkin lymphoma, tumor cells can hide from the immune system by activating a pathway called PD-1. This pathway acts like a brake, preventing immune cells (T-cells) from attacking the cancer.

Nivolumab is a monoclonal antibody that blocks the PD-1 receptor on T-cells. By blocking this receptor, nivolumab releases the brake and allows your immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells more effectively. This can help slow or stop the growth of cancer. Nivolumab is not chemotherapy; instead, it helps your body’s own immune system fight the cancer.

Who should take it

Nivolumab is approved for adults with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) that has come back (relapsed) or has not improved (progressed) after:

• An autologous stem cell transplant and brentuximab vedotin, or
• Three or more lines of systemic therapy that includes an autologous stem cell transplant.

It may also be used in other types of blood cancers and solid tumors, but for Hodgkin lymphoma, it is mainly used when other treatments have not worked or the disease has returned.

Who should not take it

There are no absolute contraindications listed for nivolumab, but certain patients should use caution:

• If you have had a severe allergic reaction to nivolumab or any of its ingredients, you should not receive it.
• Patients with active autoimmune diseases or those requiring immunosuppressive medications may be at higher risk for complications.
• Nivolumab can cause harm to unborn babies, so it should not be used during pregnancy, and effective contraception is recommended during treatment and for at least 5 months after the last dose.

Always discuss your full medical history with your healthcare provider before starting nivolumab.

Commonly used with

For Hodgkin lymphoma, nivolumab is often used alone, especially in patients who have already tried other treatments. However, in other cancers, it may be combined with other immunotherapies such as ipilimumab or with chemotherapy. Your doctor will decide the best approach based on your specific case.

Commonly tested with

Nivolumab has been studied in combination with other immunotherapies like ipilimumab, as well as with chemotherapy agents in various cancers. In Hodgkin lymphoma, it is mainly tested as a single agent in patients who have relapsed or refractory disease after standard treatments.