Yervoy

Yervoy is a brand name for an immunotherapy drug developed by Bristol Myers Squibb. It is a checkpoint inhibitor, specifically a programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) blocking antibody. Yervoy works by helping the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. It does this by targeting and blocking the PD-1 receptor, which is found on T-cells, a type of immune cell. Cancer cells can use PD-1 to evade detection by the immune system. By blocking PD-1, Yervoy can unleash the immune system's ability to fight the cancer.

Yervoy is primarily used in the treatment of advanced melanoma, a type of skin cancer. It is often used in combination with other immunotherapies, such as nivolumab (Opdivo), for certain stages of melanoma. The drug is administered intravenously. Like many immunotherapies, Yervoy can cause side effects, which are related to the immune system becoming overactive. These can include inflammation of various organs, such as the skin, colon, liver, and endocrine glands. The specific side effects and their severity can vary from person to person. The effectiveness and safety of Yervoy are evaluated through clinical trials and ongoing monitoring.