Nivolumab C

An immunotherapy drug, Nivolumab;

• On 4 March 2015, in squamous non-small cell disease spread to distant tissues, in patients with lung cancer or patients receiving platinum-based chemotherapy;
• On 30 September 2015, in disease that cannot be surgically removed or has spread to distant tissues, in patients with melanoma , together with the drug called iplimumab,
• On 9 October 2015, in non-small cell disease spread to distant tissues, in patients with lung cancer or patients receiving platinum-based chemotherapy,
• On 23 November 2015, in patients previously given treatment inhibiting new blood vessel formation, with renal (kidney) cell cancer , it received FDA approval for use.

Through the PD L1 molecule on its surface, the cancer cell binds to the PD 1 receptor on T cells, a component of the immune system, thereby acting almost like a healthy body cell and evading the defense system. Like Pembrolizumab, Nivolumab blocks this binding, enabling the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells more easily. The most common side effects include weakness, cough, nausea, rash, difficulty breathing, diarrhea and constipation.