Nivolumab

Drug class: Immune checkpoint inhibitor (anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody)

Dosage form: Injection

Route of administration: Intravenous (IV)

Available Dose:

• Injection: 40 mg/4 mL (10 mg/mL), 100 mg/10 mL (10 mg/mL)

Mechanism of action: Nivolumab blocks the programmed death-1 (PD-1) receptor on T cells, enhancing the immune system’s ability to recognize and attack cancer cells by preventing the binding of PD-1 to its ligands PD-L1 and PD-L2, which are often overexpressed on tumor cells.

Drug usage cases: Nivolumab is used for the treatment of various cancers, including melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), renal cell carcinoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, and others.

Drug contraindications: Contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to nivolumab or any of its components.

Side effects: Common side effects include fatigue, rash, musculoskeletal pain, pruritus, diarrhea, and nausea. Serious side effects include immune-mediated adverse reactions such as pneumonitis, colitis, hepatitis, endocrinopathies, and nephritis.

Warnings: Patients receiving nivolumab should be monitored for signs of immune-mediated adverse reactions and treated promptly with corticosteroids if such reactions occur. Caution is advised in patients with pre-existing autoimmune conditions.

Use during pregnancy or breastfeeding: Nivolumab is categorized as a pregnancy category D drug. It can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Women of childbearing potential should be advised to use effective contraception during and for at least 5 months after the last dose. It is not known if nivolumab is excreted in human milk; breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment and for at least 5 months after the last dose