Nivolumab
From IDWiki
Background
- IgG4 human monoclonal antibody that binds PD-1 receptor on T cells, thus blocking it from interacting with PD-L1 and PD-L2
- Indicated for melanoma, NSCLC, SCLC, RCC, Hodgkin lymphoma, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, urothelial carcinoma, colorectal cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Pharmacokinetics
- Half-life 27 days
Safety
- Not particularly immunosuppressive; may increase risk of routine bacterial infections (including Clostridioides difficile), fungal infections (aspergillosis, Pneumocystis, candidemia), viral infections (VZV, CMV, EBV); case reports of CMV colitis
- Rash is common, generally presenting early
- Diarrhea as well, can be severe, as well as nausea/vomiting
- Fatigue quite common, affecting about a half of patients
- Electrolyte abnormalities
- Immune-mediated endocrinopathies that can include hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, hypophysitis, adrenal insufficiency, diabetes mellitus
- Cases of pneumonitis and interstitial lung disease, median onset 15 weeks
