nivolumab + varlilumab

Nivolumab + varlilumab is an investigational combination of two monoclonal antibodies used in cancer immunotherapy. Nivolumab is a fully human IgG4 monoclonal antibody that targets programmed cell death protein 1 (PD‑1), blocking its interaction with PD-L1 and PD-L2, thereby restoring T-cell mediated antitumor immunity. Varlilumab is a fully human IgG1κ agonist monoclonal antibody targeting CD27, a co-stimulatory molecule on T cells, which enhances T-cell activation and proliferation when engaged. The rationale for combining these agents is to simultaneously block inhibitory immune checkpoints while providing additional co-stimulatory signals to augment antitumor immune responses. This combination has been studied in phase 1/2 clinical trials for advanced refractory solid tumors and aggressive B-cell lymphomas, showing acceptable safety profiles but limited evidence of enhanced efficacy over nivolumab monotherapy[1][2][4][5][7].

Brand names

Opdivo

Other names

anti-PD1 antibody + anti-CD27 antibodynivolumab and varlilumab combination