Opdivo

Opdivo is the brand name for nivolumab, a human monoclonal antibody that inhibits the PD-1 immune checkpoint. It was developed by Bristol Myers Squibb and first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2014 for metastatic melanoma. Since then, nivolumab has received approvals for a range of cancers and is used both as a standalone therapy and in combination with other agents, depending on the tumor type and patient status. Regulatory approvals vary by country and over time.

Nivolumab binds the programmed death-1 (PD-1) receptor on activated T cells, blocking its interaction with the ligands PD-L1 and PD-L2. This releases inhibition of T-cell activity and can enhance anti-tumor immune responses. It is approved as monotherapy and in combination with agents such as ipilimumab, across several indications including melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, renal cell carcinoma, classical Hodgkin lymphoma, squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, urothelial carcinoma, and hepatocellular carcinoma in some settings.

Administration is by intravenous infusion, typically given every two to four weeks depending on the regimen. Common adverse effects are immune-related and can include colitis, pneumonitis, hepatitis, thyroid dysfunction, rash, and fatigue. More severe adverse events can occur and may require treatment interruption or discontinuation. The safety profile and approved indications may vary by country and over time.