nivolumab + ipilimumab

Nivolumab + ipilimumab is a combination of two immune checkpoint inhibitor monoclonal antibodies used as an immunotherapy for various cancers. Nivolumab targets the programmed death-1 (PD-1) receptor on T cells to block its interaction with PD-L1/PD-L2 ligands found on tumor and immune cells. This blockade releases inhibitory signals that suppress T-cell activity, thereby restoring and enhancing antitumor immune responses. Ipilimumab targets cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4), another checkpoint receptor on T cells that downregulates immune activation. By blocking CTLA-4, ipilimumab enhances T-cell activation and proliferation against cancer cells. The combination has demonstrated improved efficacy over monotherapy in several cancers by unleashing complementary pathways of the immune response[3][6][9]. It is developed and manufactured by Bristol Myers Squibb.

Brand names

Opdivo + Yervoy

Other names

nivolumab plus ipilimumabipilimumab and nivolumab