How it is administered

How it is administered:

Nivolumab is available as an intravenous (IV) infusion and, more recently, as a subcutaneous injection when combined with hyaluronidase (OPDIVO QVANTIG). For IV use, it is given over 30–60 minutes, typically every 2 or 4 weeks, depending on the specific cancer and treatment plan. The subcutaneous injection is given in the abdomen or thigh over 3–5 minutes, every 2, 3, or 4 weeks, depending on the indication.

The exact dose and schedule depend on the type of cancer being treated, whether nivolumab is used alone or in combination with other medications, and patient-specific factors such as weight and other health conditions.

Nivolumab is administered by a healthcare professional in a clinic or hospital setting.

How it works

How it works:

Nivolumab is an immunotherapy medication known as a checkpoint inhibitor. It is a monoclonal antibody that targets the PD-1 (programmed death-1) receptor on T cells, a type of white blood cell involved in immune responses. In some cancers, including certain blood cancers like classical Hodgkin lymphoma, cancer cells can express PD-L1 or PD-L2 proteins that bind to PD-1 on T cells. This binding acts as a "brake," preventing T cells from attacking the cancer.

By blocking the PD-1 receptor, nivolumab releases this brake, allowing T cells to recognize and attack cancer cells more effectively. This helps the immune system fight cancer more efficiently. Nivolumab is used in several types of cancers, including blood cancers, because it can help restore the body's natural ability to detect and destroy cancer cells that have been hiding from the immune system.

Who Should take it

Who should take it:

Nivolumab is approved for use in adults with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) that has relapsed or progressed after autologous stem cell transplant and brentuximab vedotin, or after three or more lines of systemic therapy that includes autologous stem cell transplant. It is also approved for a wide range of solid tumors and other cancers, but for blood cancers, its primary use is in cHL.

Patients who have not responded to standard treatments or whose disease has come back after previous therapies may be considered for nivolumab. The decision to use nivolumab is made by the oncology team based on the type and stage of cancer, previous treatments, and the patient’s overall health.

Who should not take it

Who should not take it:

There are no absolute contraindications listed for nivolumab, but it should not be used in patients with a known allergy to nivolumab or any of its components. Caution is needed in patients with active autoimmune diseases, as nivolumab can worsen these conditions. It is also not recommended for use in combination with thalidomide analogues and dexamethasone for multiple myeloma outside of clinical trials, due to increased risk of death.

Patients who have had severe or life-threatening immune-mediated reactions to other checkpoint inhibitors should discuss risks with their healthcare provider. Pregnant women should avoid nivolumab, as it can harm the fetus, and women should use effective contraception during treatment and for several months after the last dose.

Commonly used with

Commonly used with:

In blood cancers, nivolumab may be used alone or in combination with other treatments. In classical Hodgkin lymphoma, it is sometimes used after other therapies have failed. In solid tumors, it is often used with other immunotherapies (like ipilimumab) or with chemotherapy, depending on the cancer type.

Nivolumab is not recommended for use with thalidomide analogues and dexamethasone in multiple myeloma outside of clinical trials due to increased mortality risk.

Commonly tested with

Commonly tested with:

Nivolumab has been tested in combination with ipilimumab (another checkpoint inhibitor) and with various chemotherapy regimens in clinical trials for both solid tumors and blood cancers. In classical Hodgkin lymphoma, it has been studied after stem cell transplant and in combination with brentuximab vedotin. It is also being studied in combination with other immunotherapies and targeted agents in ongoing clinical trials for various blood cancers.