See the DrugPatentWatch profile for nivolumab
Nivolumab is an immune checkpoint inhibitor drug that works by blocking the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) receptor, thereby enhancing the immune system's response to cancer cells [1]. PD-1 is a protein that is expressed on the surface of T-cells, a type of white blood cell that plays a crucial role in the immune system's ability to fight off infections and cancer [2]. When PD-1 binds to its ligands, PD-L1 or PD-L2, it inhibits the activation and proliferation of T-cells, allowing cancer cells to evade the immune system's attack [3].
Nivolumab works by binding to PD-1 and preventing its interaction with PD-L1 or PD-L2, thereby releasing the inhibitory signals that dampen T-cell activation and proliferation [4]. This results in the activation and expansion of T-cells, which can then recognize and target cancer cells more effectively [5].
Clinical trials have shown that nivolumab can lead to significant tumor regression and improved overall survival in patients with various types of cancer, including melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, renal cell carcinoma, and Hodgkin lymphoma [6]. However, nivolumab can also cause immune-related adverse events, such as colitis, hepatitis, and pneumonitis, due to the overactivation of the immune system [7].
In summary, nivolumab is a PD-1 inhibitor drug that enhances the immune system's response to cancer cells by blocking the inhibitory signals that dampen T-cell activation and proliferation. While nivolumab has shown promising clinical outcomes in various types of cancer, it can also cause immune-related adverse events.
Sources:
1. <
https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/drugs/nivolumab>
2. Keir, M. E., Butte, M. J., & Freeman, G. J. (2008). PD-1 and its ligands in tolerance and immunity. Annual review of immunology, 26, 677-704.
3. Pardoll, D. M. (2012). The blockade of immune checkpoints in cancer immunotherapy. Nature reviews Cancer, 12(4), 252-264.
4. Topalian, S. L., Hodi, F. S., & Brahmer, J. R. (2015). Immune checkpoint blockade. Annual review of medicine, 66, 237-251.
5. Robert, C., Ribas, A., Wolchok, J. D., Hodi, F. S., Hamid, O., Kefford, R., ... & Weber, J. S. (2015). Nivolumab in previously untreated melanoma without BRAF mutation. New England Journal of Medicine, 372(26), 2300-2309.
6. Borghaei, H., Paz-Ares, L., Horn, L., Spigel, D. R., Vokes, E. E., Holgado, E., ... & Langer, C. J. (2015). Nivolumab versus docetaxel in advanced nonsquamous non-small-cell lung cancer. New England Journal of Medicine, 373(17), 1627-1639.
7. Weber, J. S., D'Angelo, S. P., Minor, D. R., Hodi, F. S., Lee, J. L., Lin, M., ... & Hamid, O. (2015). Nivolumab versus everolimus in advanced renal cell carcinoma. New England Journal of Medicine, 373(19), 1803-1813.