N-803 + nivolumab

N-803 + nivolumab is a combination immunotherapy regimen under clinical investigation for cancer treatment. N-803 (also known as ALT-803 or Anktiva) is an interleukin 15 (IL-15) superagonist cytokine fusion protein designed to stimulate and expand natural killer (NK) cells and CD8+ T cells, thereby enhancing anti-tumor immune responses. It acts by mimicking the activity of endogenous IL-15 but with greater potency and longer half-life. Nivolumab is a fully human IgG4 monoclonal antibody targeting the programmed death 1 (PD‑1) receptor on T cells, blocking its interaction with PD-L1/PD-L2 ligands to prevent immune checkpoint-mediated inhibition of T cell activity. This blockade restores and sustains anti-tumor immune responses by preventing T cell exhaustion. The combination aims to synergistically activate both innate and adaptive immunity—N‑803 boosts effector lymphocyte numbers/function while nivolumab prevents their suppression in the tumor microenvironment[2][5]. Clinical trials have evaluated this combination in patients with advanced solid tumors who have progressed after prior checkpoint inhibitor therapy[2][5].

Brand names

OpdivoAnktiva

Other names

IL-15 superagonist (for N-803)