nivolumab + trabectedin

**Nivolumab + trabectedin** is a combination therapy investigated primarily for the treatment of advanced or metastatic soft tissue sarcoma (STS), including leiomyosarcoma and liposarcoma. - **Nivolumab** is a monoclonal antibody that acts as a checkpoint inhibitor targeting PD-1 (programmed cell death protein 1), thereby blocking the interaction with its ligands (PD-L1 and PD-L2) and enhancing T cell–mediated antitumor responses. - **Trabectedin** is a small molecule alkaloid derived from the marine tunicate Ecteinascidia turbinata. It interferes with the transcription machinery by binding to the minor groove of DNA, causing DNA bending, interfering with DNA repair pathways, and triggering apoptosis. In the tumor microenvironment, trabectedin also depletes monocytes/macrophages and suppresses inflammatory mediator transcription, which may further enhance the effects of immunotherapy. This combination is being studied to address the modest activity of PD-1 inhibitors alone in most STS and to assess potential synergistic effects, particularly progression-free and overall survival improvements.

Brand names

Opdivo + Yondelis

Other names

nivolumab plus trabectedin