Nivolumab - Opdivo

Nivolumab (Opdivo®), which received FDA approval on 17 May 2016, is used for classic disease that has relapsed or progressed after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (transplanting a person’s own blood-forming cells back into that person), in patients with Hodgkin Lymphoma . Its use has begun in these patients.

Hodgkin Lymphoma is a cancer of the immune system that begins in lymph nodes. When the PD 1 molecule binds to the PD 1 receptor on a T cell, an immune system component, it prevents both T cell proliferation and the production of cancer-fighting molecules called cytokines. This allows cancer cells to increase in number over long periods and the disease to progress to advanced stages.

Nivolumab also attaches to the PD L1 molecule, preventing it from binding to its receptor on the T cell. Thus, our defense system can work more actively and destroy cancer cells. The most common side effects include weakness, cough, nausea, rash, difficulty breathing, diarrhea and constipation.